Pohjanpalo Brace Fires Palermo Past Cesena in Serie B Clash

Joel Pohjanpalo delivered a clinical brace to guide Palermo FC to a 2–0 home victory over AC Cesena on matchday 35 of the Serie B regular season on 18 April 2026.

The Finnish striker put Palermo in front early, striking in the 9th minute after being set up by Jérémy Le Douaron. The goal gave the hosts an ideal platform and forced Cesena to chase the game from the outset.

Serie B FINISHED

2026-04-18 15:15

Palermo FC

2 - 0

AC Cesena

Matchday 35 REGULAR_SEASON

Cesena’s frustrations began to show before the interval, with forward Alberto Cerri booked in the 41st minute. The visitors later looked to their bench for a response, making a triple substitution in the 72nd minute as Gianluca Frabotta, Gaetano Castrovilli and Riccardo Ciervo came on in search of a late turnaround.

Any hopes of a Cesena comeback were effectively ended in the 71st minute when Pohjanpalo struck again, this time finishing after good work from Rui Modesto to double Palermo’s advantage and complete his brace.

Palermo then managed the game through a series of substitutions, including the introductions of Samuel Giovane and Emmanuel Gyasi in the 74th minute, followed by further changes on 80 minutes and an 88th-minute withdrawal for Pohjanpalo, who made way for Giacomo Corona after a decisive night in front of goal.

Cesena made a final change in the 90th minute, bringing on Tommaso Arrigoni for Tommaso Berti, but there was no late twist as Palermo saw out the win.

Beyond the goals, one booking and the substitutions listed, detailed match statistics such as possession, shots, and full line-ups were not available in the provided data.

The result gives Palermo an important three points in their Serie B campaign. More information on the match and competition can be found on Ballaxy and the Serie B hub.

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Serie B Standings

Season: 2025/26

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Form
1	Venezia FC	37	23	10	4	75	31	44	79	D W W D W
2	Frosinone Calcio	37	22	12	3	71	34	37	78	W W W D W
3	AC Monza	37	22	9	6	59	30	29	75	L W W W D
4	Palermo FC	37	20	12	5	61	31	30	72	W D W D W
5	US Catanzaro	37	15	14	8	60	48	12	59	L W D D D
6	Modena FC 2018	37	15	10	12	49	35	14	55	W L L D D
7	SS Juve Stabia	37	11	17	9	43	44	-1	50	L D D W L
8	Mantova 1911 SSD	37	13	7	17	45	52	-7	46	W W L W W
9	AC Cesena	37	12	10	15	42	52	-10	46	D D L L D
10	Calcio Avellino SSD	37	12	10	15	42	55	-13	46	L W W D L
11	Carrarese Calcio	37	10	14	13	46	50	-4	44	D L D L W
12	UC Sampdoria	37	11	11	15	35	47	-12	44	W D L W W
13	Padova Calcio	37	11	10	16	35	46	-11	43	W L W W L
14	Empoli FC	37	9	13	15	45	52	-7	40	W L D L L
15	FC Südtirol	37	8	16	13	37	47	-10	40	L L L D D
16	ACD Virtus Entella	37	9	12	16	34	50	-16	39	L W D D L
17	SSC Bari	37	9	10	18	35	58	-23	37	W L L L W
18	Delfino Pescara 1936	37	7	13	17	50	65	-15	34	L D D L W
19	Spezia Calcio	37	8	10	19	42	58	-16	34	D L W L L
20	AC Reggiana	37	8	10	19	35	56	-21	34	L D L W L