Cesena 1-0 Brescia

Cesena preserved their top-flight status, with a victory over already-relegated Brescia at Stadio Dino Manuzzi continuing their fine finish to the Serie A season.

The Cavallucci Marini were all but certain of their Serie A status for another year after just one defeat in their previous six games – but Emanuele Giaccherini’s goal just before the hour today guaranteed safety.

Massimo Ficcadenti’s men started brightly and in the eighth minute Paolo Sammarco hit the post with a right foot shot.

Veteran Brescia striker Andrea Caracciolo went close at the other end 12 minutes later, before Cesena’s Luis Jimenez saw a shot saved by young goalkeeper Nicola Leali.

Igor Budan headed over in the 26th minute, then Marco Parolo shot wide, before Giaccherini set up Sammarco for a 39th-minute shot he blazed high over the bar.

Cesena started the second half as they finished the first – on the front foot – and Giaccherini shot over in the 56th minute, then Budan saw an effort go narrowly wide two minutes later.

However, the breakthrough arrived soon after when Giaccherini’s low shot from the edge of the penalty box gave Leali no chance as it found the corner of his net.

After on-loan Atalanta midfielder Fabio Caserta had shot wide for the hosts, Brescia came close to an equaliser with 15 minutes remaining when Eder shot narrowly over from the edge of the penalty area.

Caserta went even closer in the 82nd minute after Parolo had set up the opening – but one goal proved enough and at the final whistle the majority of the crowd were able to celebrate an 11th victory of the campaign and successful preservation of their top-flight status over a team who also made the move up a year ago.

Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com

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Cesena v Brescia: Preview

Cesena coach Massimo Ficcadenti has warned his team not to lose focus ahead of two very important games at the end of the Serie A season.

Ficcadenti was in celebratory mood after last weekend’s 2-0 win at Cagliari moved them a step closer to retaining their top-flight status.

The result lifted Cesena, who gained promotion to Serie A last summer, four points clear of 18th-place Sampdoria ahead of tomorrow’s game against Brescia.

“With a four-point advantage and with six points still up for grabs, for us it would be a suicide to be relegated,” said Ficcadenti. “But I am aware that in our last two games we will have to battle hard.

“I have seen everything in football and I know that this is no time for relaxation.

“We have clinched 40 points so far and we are close but yet not there. All is to play for.

“We have to be at our best for our difficult game against Brescia.”

Ficcadenti has reason to be confident as his side, who end the campaign at Genoa on May 22, have lost just once in their last six games.

Rivals Brescia travel to the Stadio Dino Manuzzi already planning for the future having seen their hopes of avoiding relegation crushed last weekend.

Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by Catania condemned Brescia to Serie B football.

The Rondinelle are 19th in the standings, seven points adrift of safety and unable to catch 17th-place Lecce.

“My players gave their all but it was not to be,” said Brescia coach Giuseppe Iachini. “We are disappointed with our campaign and perhaps we could have done better in certain games.

“Now we just have to look ahead to the future and try to return to Italy’s top flight as soon as possible.”

Brescia, who have won just once on the road this season, will be without the team’s top scorer Alessandro Diamanti, who is suspended.

Ficcadenti will have all of his players available.

Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com

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