All in 90 minutes. Second direct promotion to Serie A, play-off grid, play-off playoff and last direct relegation to Serie C. The 38th and last day of the regular season of the championship B series decides everything.
It is still played at the same time, like last Sunday, Friday 10 May. A tussle over the latest verdicts regarding ten teams on the pitch.
Como-Venice duel for Serie A
The first verdict still to be decided is promotion to the top flight. Who will join Parma, who have already been promoted after two matches? Only two teams can aspire to Serie A: Como, second in the standings with 72 points, and Venezia who are two points behind.
The favors on paper are for the people of Como. Not only for the two points advantage but also for the calendar. The Lombards receive Cosenza already safe and unable to reach the play outs; the lagoon players instead go to La Spezia at the home of a precarious team that with a victory would directly save themselves, also avoiding the play outs from which they are however only one point away.
Everything is still possible of course but in the event of a tie on points, Venezia would be celebrating as they are ahead in the head-to-head matches: 3-0 and 1-2. Como must win to avoid making calculations.
The play-off grid to be defined
Sebastiano Desplanches made his seasonal debut defending Palermo’s goal in the match against Ascoli which ended 2-2. Photo Pasquale Ponente
The play-off grid is also to be defined but many details have already been acquired. The third position is in the balance between Como and Venezia, one of the two will celebrate for Serie A, the other will start from the semi-finals of the play offs. Cremonese is fourth and is also certain of the semi-finals. Catanzaro is fifth, however, and is already certain of playing the first round at home. The last three teams that will take part in the play-offs for Serie A are already defined and are Palermo, Sampdoria and Brescia but the last 90 minutes will establish the positions from sixth to eighth.
The rosanero, sixth on the eve of the last day, are playing at the Druso in Bolzano as guests of the now quiet Sudtirol; the Blucerchiati go to Catanzaro while the Rondinelle will be guests of the precarious Bari.
The Sicilians who have not won since March 10th have the obligation to get the three points if they want to maintain the sixth position which allows them to play the preliminary round at home. In case of finishing on equal points, with Sampdoria or with Brescia it would be classified behind them as it is at a disadvantage in the direct clashes (with the Dorians defeated at Marassi 1-0 and home draw 2-2; with the Lombards victory 1-0 at home and 4-2 defeat at Rigamonti).
Battle for salvation, Bari and Ascoli are shaking
Also to be decided in the queue. Lecco and Feralpi have now abandoned the ranking. There are four teams that are fighting for a place for direct salvation; two others will play in the play outs, the other will be directly relegated to Serie C together with the two Lombard freshmen who abandon Serie B after just one season. In theory, Spezia is also part of this brawl.
The team that risks the most is undoubtedly Ascoli, currently third from last with 38 points because despite having the same points as Bari they are at a disadvantage in head-to-head matches. Today the Apulian Galletti would avoid the third series only due to the separated ranking but would be forced to play the play outs with Ternana.
There is also the possibility that all four finish on equal merit and in this case Spezia would be safe, while Ternana would go to Serie C. Speaking of the Ligurians, they have to win to be sure of 15th place. For the rest, in the event of a tie in the standings, the Eagles are ahead with Ascoli and Bari and at a disadvantage with Ternana due to the worst goal difference. The Umbrians find themselves behind in direct clashes with Ascoli and Bari.
Ascoli and Bari will play at home hosting Pisa and Brescia respectively. The Tuscans have nothing left to ask for except playing for pride and to end a fluctuating season in the best possible way. The Rondinelle are looking for success to improve their eighth place and have a theoretically softer pairing in the play offs.
Ternana goes out to Piacenza at the “home” of Feralpisalò who last week were certain of relegation to Serie C. Le Fere have an excellent chance of achieving a decisive result but the Leoni del Garda will certainly want to leave their mark despite everything .
As already mentioned, Spezia will receive Venezia for a challenge that could be very hot at the Picco.
The other games
The promotion party is in Reggio Emilia. Reggiana faces Parma in the Emilian derby. With one point the Ducali will also win the championship. The home team, on the other hand, celebrated their salvation achieved without too many worries upon their return to Serie B.
At the Zini Cremonese, certain of fourth place, receives the Cittadella already safe. Bottom of the table Lecco bids farewell to Serie B against a calm Modena.
Serie B, the last day’s matches
Friday 10 May
All matches are played at 8.30pm simultaneously
- Ascoli-Pisa
- Catanzaro-Sampdoria
- Como-Cosenza
- Cremonese-Cittadella
- Feralpisalò-Ternana
- Lecco-Modena
- Reggiana-Parma
- Spezia-Venice
- Sudtirol-Palermo
- Bari-Brescia
Classification
Parma 75 points; Como 72; Venice 70; Cremonese 64; Catanzaro 60; Palermo 53; Sampdoria 52; Brescia 51; South Tyrol 47; Cosenza, Cittadella, Pisa and Reggiana 46; Modena 44; Spice 41; Ternana 40; Ascoli and Bari 38; Feralpisalò 33; Lecco 26.
Verdicts. Parma promoted to Serie A; Lecco and Feralpisalò relegated to Serie C.
Markers
Joel Pohjanpalo (Venice) 22 goals; Gennaro Tutino (Cosenza) 19; Matteo Brunori (Palermo) 17; Daniele Casiraghi (South Tyrol) 16; Massimo Coda (Cremonese9 and Pietro Iemmello (Catanzaro) 15.
