Serie B: Parma extend lead after Venezia slip at Cosenza

It was another round packed with action on Serie B Matchday 21 with Parma extending their lead at the top of the table with a victory away to Sampdoria whereas Venezia surprisingly lost to Cosenza.

Table-toppers Parma defeated the Blucerchiati 3-0 in the opening match of the round while the Arancioneroverdi lost 4-2 to the Lupi. The Gialloblu now have 45 points while Como has leaped above the Venetians into second place with 39 after their 2-2 draw against Reggiana.

Meanwhile, Palermo were involved in another exciting match, defeating Modena 4-2. It was a crucial win for the Rosanero, who stay in the playoff spots, whereas the Canarini drop out and now sit ninth on the Serie B table.

Cosenza stun Venezia thanks to Tutino heroics

Both Venezia and Cosenza had started the season well, but they have had their share of slip-ups recently.

The Arancioneroverdi have been in the spots for direct promotion to Serie A for the majority of the season, whereas the Lupi were as high as fifth, but they had failed to win their previous seven games before this one. However, the form guide counted for nothing in this encounter and Silani striker Gennaro Tutino failed to read the script.

Venezia did not know what hit them as Cosenza scored three goals in 11 minutes. Tutino opened the scoring after 10 minutes with an excellent strike from about 25 metres; Manuel Marras doubled the lead for the Calabrians with a powerful volley at the back post; and Tutino got his second after a teammate took a shot, then the ball took a heavy deflection off him.

Gianluca Busio finished off a well-worked move in the 24th minute, but a Venetian comeback was unlikely. Tutino completed his hat-trick with a bending strike nine minutes from time and Christian Gytkjaer netted a consolation goal for the Lagunari soon after.

This defeat means that Venezia are now equal third with Cremonese on 38 points while Cosenza are equal 13th with Sudtirol on 24 points and five points clear of the relegation zone.

Soleri heroics save Palermo

With their free-flowing attack and leaky defence, Palermo have emerged as one of Serie B's entertainers, and their match against Modena was another exciting clash in the Cadetti. However, it took one of their reserves Edoardo Soleri to secure a late victory against the Emilians.

Rosanero midfielder Jacopo Segre opened the scoring after just eight minutes with a header, then Thomas Battistella equalised soon after with a header of his own. Talismanic striker Matteo Brunori regained the lead for the Sicilians after running onto a long pass, outmuscling a defender, made a turn, and thumped the ball into the net.

Fabio Abiuso made it 2-2 in the second half with a header after Palermo goalkeeper Mirko Pigliacelli had saved a shot, but the Rosanero still looked like the team most likely to win the game.

Soleri replaced Federico Di Francesco after 75 minutes, and scored in the 88th minute as well as in the sixth minute of stoppage time, showing great positioning on both occasions. He ran onto a through-ball and slid in to score his first, then he was left unmarked at the back post to seal the victory.

Serie B 2023/24: Matchday 21 results

Date	Serie B Fixtures/Results
Fri, Jan 19	Sampdoria 0-3 Parma
Sat, Jan 20	Brescia 1-1 Sudtirol
Sat, Jan 20	Feralpisalo 3-0 Catanzaro
Sat, Jan 20	Reggiana 2-2 Como
Sat, Jan 20	Spezia 0-1 Cremonese
Sat, Jan 20	Ternana 3-1 Cittadella
Sat, Jan 20	Cosenza 4-2 Venezia
Sat, Jan 20	Lecco 1-3 Pisa
Sat, Jan 20	Palermo 4-2 Modena
Sun, Jan 21	Ascoli 2-2 Bari

Serie B 2023/24: Table after Matchday 21

Pos	Club	MP	Pts
1	Parma	21	45
2	Como	21	39
3	Cremonese	21	38
4	Venezia	21	38
5	Cittadella	21	36
6	Palermo	21	35
7	Catanzaro	21	33
8	Brescia	21	29
9	Modena	21	28
10	Bari	21	27
11	Pisa	21	26
12	Reggiana	21	25
13	Sudtirol	21	24
14	Cosenza	21	24
15	Sampdoria	21	23
16	Ternana	21	21
17	Lecco	21	20
18	Ascoli	21	19
19	Spezia	21	17
20	Feralpisalo	21	17