Serie B: Sampdoria hold high-flying Parma, Catanzaro bounce back

Sampdoria have a new goalscoring hero in Serie B called Estanis Pedrola, and he nearly gave the Blucerchiati just their second win for the season, but another youngster took some of the spotlight from him in the 1-1 draw away to Parma.

The 20-year-old winger was acquired from the Barcelona B team in the summer, and his goal against the Ducali was almost enough to give Il Doria the win against the Serie B leaders, only for 19-year-old defender Alessandro Circati to equalise in the latter stages of the match.

Parma were in excellent form leading into the match against Samp, winning 5-0 against Catanzaro in the previous round. Meanwhile, the Aquile were able to recover from that heavy defeat to the Crociati with a draw away to Bari.

Youngsters discover scoring touch in Parma

It has not been an easy time for Sampdoria in Serie B, and they have not won since they defeated Ternana on the opening day. Facing league leaders Parma on the road looked like a daunting task for the Blucerchiati, who had lost 2-1 to Cittadella in the previous round.

There was some hope for Il Doria when Pedrola opened the scoring in the 19th minute, receiving a pass from Fabio Borini, and beating a defender before unleashing a shot into the far bottom corner. It was the Spaniard’s third goal for the campaign, and he has displayed comfort playing on either wing since arriving in Liguria.

Sampdoria had difficulty holding on, and Circati was able to rescue a point for Parma with a towering header after 82 minutes. The Italo-Australian was the unlikely source for a goal, but the young centre-back went forward, and got the right connection on Cristian Ansaldi’s cross.

The Ducali still have a clear lead on top of the Serie B table, and they sit two points ahead of Venezia, who featured in a scoreless draw against Brescia. The Blucerchiati remain in 16th place with three points albeit with a two-point penalty for financial irregularities from last season.

Catanzaro earn point against draw specialists Bari

It was evident that Catanzaro coach Vincenzo Vivarini needed a reaction from his players after that humiliating defeat to Parma on Matchday 5, and the Calabrian side were close to earning a victory against Bari at the Stadio San Nicola.

Greek midfielder Ilias Koutsoupias gave the Galletti the lead after 28 minutes, but his compatriot Dimitrios Sounas equalised for the Aquile two minutes later with a header, and the Apulian team were 2-1 down when Luca Verna finished from close range.

Catanzaro were not able to hold on though as Koutsoupias scored Bari and his second goal for the match with another finish like a poacher. The Aquile had substitute Kevin Miranda sent off with seven minutes remaining, but they were able to return to Calabria with a point. Meanwhile, this was Bari’s fifth draw in six games this season, becoming Serie B’s draw specialists.

Serie B 2023/24: Matchday 6 results

Serie B 2023/24: Table after Matchday 6