Palermo, Empoli, and Monza win on their debuts

Palermo, Empoli and Monza get off to a good start in Serie B. The Rosanero beat Reggiana 2-1, the Tuscans beat Padova 3-1, the Brianza team won by a narrow margin (1-0) in the derby against Mantova . Finally, Entella and Juve Stabia drew (1-1).

Pohjanpalo-Pierozzi, Palermo's first match is a success

Pippo Inzaghi made a strong debut as Palermo coach. The Rosanero dominated the first half against Reggiana, breaking the deadlock in the 38th minute with a header from Pohjanpalo following a Pierozzi cross. Early in the second half, after nearly doubling their lead, Palermo were stung by a Tavsan equalizer in the 62nd minute, who fooled Bardi with a deflection and a powerful shot from outside the box. The Sicilians remained undaunted, and two minutes later they regained the lead with a left-footed diagonal strike from Pierozzi, who perfectly completed a three-way tie with Segre.

Empoli thanks youngster Popov: a brace against Padova

Empoli can thank eighteen-year-old Ukrainian Bogdan Popov, who decided the match against Padova with a brace. Shpendi opened the scoring in the 20th minute, scoring from a corner after Curto's header from close range. Five minutes later, Padova equalized with a sliding tackle by Bortolussi following a Varas cross from the left. Empoli were lethal from set pieces and regained the lead late in the first half with a goal that was almost a carbon copy of the first: Ignacchiti's corner from the left was headed in by Lovato, but Baselli made a poor save and Popov, recently substituted for the injured Shpendi, tapped in. Midway through the second half, the same Ukrainian sealed the win with a diving header from Elia's cross from the right.

Izzo makes Monza happy, Entella and Juve Stabia draw

Monza deservedly won the derby thanks to Izzo's header from a Caprari corner in the 56th minute. In Chiavari, Entella caught up with Juve Stabia, extending their long unbeaten streak in competitive matches. It all happened in the second half. Candellone broke the deadlock from a corner, and Marconi responded, again from a dead-ball situation, with a header from Guiu's free kick in the attacking midfield.