Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo has insisted that he will repay the faith that the the Bianconeri have show in him, but putting in stellar performances on the pitch.

There has been a growing chorus of discontent with regards to Melo’s less than convincing displays since his transfer from Fiorentina. Some have argued that he cost too much, while others claim he is incompatible with Mohamed Sissoko (once he returns again from injury).

Melo told to la Gazzetta dello Sport that he is confident of proving his critics wrong and that he is worth the gamble. He explained that the considerable sum paid by the club for his services did not depend on him, but promised to pay back the faith shown in due course.

The Brazil international is looking forward to the clash with Inter and hopes to score against the league leaders so he can celebrate with the tifosi.

Rami Soufi, Football Italiano

Ancona missed the opportunity to maintain the two point lead in the division after dropping off two points in the home clash against mid-table side Sassuolo. The visitors finished the last 11 minutes with 10 men, as Massimiliano Fusani was sent-off. But Alessandro Noselli snatched a point for them in the final few of the match. Gaetano Masucci gave Sassuolo the lead in the first-half on 25 minutes, only for joint-top scorer Salvatore Mastronunzio to score the first of his two goals six minutes later. The forward would complete his brace in the second-half to hand the Dorici the lead before the last 15 minutes of intense action forced the league leaders to settle for a point.

Lecce were the main beneficiary from the draw as the club mounted a stunning comeback to register a 3-2 victory over Grosseto. The Salentini have one of the best home records in the league, and their come-from-behind victory after falling two goals down courtesy of a double scored by danger-man Pinilla proves how resolute they are at the Stadio Via del Mare. Lecce’s goals came via Brazilian pair Fabiano (45th minute) and Angelo (46th) before Guillermo Giacomazzi (74th) scored the winner.

Empoli continued their great home record with a comfortable 2-0 win over Cesena at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. The Azzurri scored a goal each half through Claudio Coralli and Mirko Valdifiori to cruise to third place in the standings just three points behind the joint leaders. Cesena have now dropped to fourth place and have been joined by Modena which recorded a 2-0 home win thanks to two goals by forward Salvatore Bruno.

The biggest surprise this weekend came in Turin where Torino lost 2-1 to Crotone stretching their winless streak to upset the local fans. The tifosi heavily protested and left the stadium to wait outside for the players by the parking to voice their displeasure. Rolando Bianchi scored the consolation goal for the hosts after a disastrous four-minute spell saw two goals for the visitors through Nicola Petrilli and Antonino Bonvissuto. Bianchi has now scored 12 times this season to top the scoring charts with Ancona’s Mastronunzio.

Meanwhile, Frosinone finally stopped the series of negative results after snatching a late point in an entertaining 2-2 home draw with one of the division’s weaker sides Albinoleffe. The visitors had a player sent off in injury-time when Piccinni received his marching orders with the score tied 2-2. Twice the Celeste scored the go ahead goal only for the Canarini to respond back each time through Swiss player Migjen Basha and Vincenzo Santoruvo respectively. Santoruvo scored the game’s last goal towards the end of the match.

Piacenza registered a rare home win after edging Ascoli 2-1 despite falling to a goal scored by Marco Bernacci for the visitors. The hosts scored twice in the second-half to gain all three points and jump a few spots up the table above the relegation zone. Ascoli had defender Vittorio Micolucci sent-off during the last 10 minutes of the match but after the Biancorossi were up 2-1 through Brazilian Rincon and Davide Moscardelli strikes.

Bottom dwellers Salernitana continued their woeful run that will likely see them relegated at the end of the season, after failing to defend a 1-0 lead to eventually crash 3-1 to visitors Gallipoli.

One of the weekend’s most hotly contested matches saw Vicenza edge hosts Padova 2-1 during an encounter that witnessed everything from goals to red cards and even a missed penalty. Vicenza’s Sasa Bjelanovic missed the penalty but later scored the winner to emerge as the hero for the Berici.

Here are the results:

Ancona 2-2 Sassuolo
Empoli 2-0 Cesena
Lecce 3-2 Grosseto
Frosinone 2-2 Albinoleffe
Modena 2-0 Triestina
Padova 1-2 Vicenza
Piacenza 2-1 Ascoli
Torino 1-2 Crotone
Salernitana 1-3 Gallipoli

Rami Soufi, Football Italiano

It is time for another round of games in the second division, where the action never stops.

After a loss in the last round to Ancona, Frosinone have to deal with another difficult clash as Sassuolo are swiftly chasing a spot in the Serie A next season. The hosts have lately stepped off the gas, and a loss on home soil could result in the Canarini losing some ground in a league where small mistakes usually turn out to either make or break a season.

Meanwhile, Lecce with take on an eternally underperforming Empoli side at the Stadio Via del Mare. The hosts are in superb form following three consecutive victories against Salernitana, Galliopoli, and Reggina. They may have registered victories against teams that are in the wrong half of the table, but the form and the win will count towards a team that is riding high on confidence. The travellers on the other hand, are lossless in five outings, but are nowhere close to performing to potential.

Here are the fixtures for this week:

Albinoleffe – Gallipoli
Ancona – Cesena
Cittadella – Padova
Crotone – Piacenza
Frosinone – Sassuolo
Grosseto – Ascoli
Lecce – Empoli
Mantova – Brescia
Modena – Vicenza
Reggina – Salernitana
Triestina – Torino

Football Italiano