Baldini shines in Sunday’s afternoon win over Crotone

Just like last year, Cittadella open the season with two consecutive wins in Serie B, and currently sit in 2nd place going into the international break.

They knew it was going to be a tough task to beat a Crotone team looking for their first win. Cittadella showed character and strength to get back into the match. It wasn’t the prettiest of performances, as the visitors dominated a lot of the match. But a win is a win, and Edoardo Gorini certainly won’t be complaining.

“There is a desire to amaze again and we want to do it all together. I didn’t expect such a start, a better start was impossible. We suffered at times, but winning by suffering is even more beautiful. We knew where Crotone could put us in difficulty and we prepared the game in a certain way. I am happy that Baldini and Okwonkwo scored and I hope that Antonucci will soon be able to do it too, with a good assist.” expressed Gorini after the match.

It took about 20 minutes for Cittadella to find their footing. Sloppy passes and possession losses plagued the Granata early on. Crotone looked the better side as they tried to break down Cittadella’s back line. The visitors left winger Augustus Kargbo was giving Tommaso Cassandro nightmares throughout the match. Kargbo nearly got his head on two crosses in the opening minutes, but thankfully for Cittadella the ball sailed over the crossbar.

Against the run of play, Enrico Baldini did well on his defensive duty to win a tackle near the 18 yard box. Playing Mirko Antonucci, who used his speed up the field, made the Crotone defense backtrack. The ex Roma midfielder sprung an open Orji Okwonkwo through on goal. The Nigerian striker put the ball away with a great finish, giving Citta the lead. The goal would be Cittadella’s 700th goal in Serie B play.

A goal that was needed in this Cittadella team, and from there on it seemed like the Granata had woken up. Or so we thought. Crotone was given a corner ten minutes later, and an open header from Nedelcearu leveled Crotone at the Tombolato. Gorini must have been disappointed there, as it was truly a preventable goal to concede.

Cittadella got more chances but never had one real opportunity for the rest of the half. Domenico Frare, who scored in the opener last weekend, almost got to the end of an Amedeo Benedetti free kick. Both teams went into halftime at 1-1.

The second half started identical to the first for a Cittadella point of view. They struggled to create chances, and it looked like once again it was going to be Crotone who score the next goal. Alessandro Mattioli made his debut in the 57th minute after coming on for an already booked Tommaso Cassandro. Definitely not the best game for the young right back, as he seemed rattled by Kargbo’s play throughout the game.

Almost out of nothing, the ball fell to Baldini into space to run into. With a runner at the far post, and with Crotone’s defenders dropping off, Baldini continued his push up forward. A side footer reached the net for Cittadella’s second goal of the game, regaining the lead after not creating much all half.

Crotone seemed frustrated, and not even a minute later their frustration mounted as Okwonkwo got in front of their defense. A trip made the referee point to the spot, and a chance to make it 3-1. Baldini slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, making it 3 goals for the home team.

After what seemed to just be the final touch on a fantastic night, Crotone got life after a ball somehow made its way through everybody. Mulattieri was first to react, and a hard shot beat Kastrati near post to pull a goal back with 20 minutes to go. It was happening fast, and more anxiety flooded the Tombolato.

Camillo Tavernelli, the striker who just came onto the pitch, found himself free after Okwonkwo won a duel in the box. A great kick save by Festa kept the youngster from his first goal of the season, and another stop from the keeper on Okwonkwo’s follow up header just about kept Crotone in the game. The following corner, though, saw Baldini’s cross past everybody in the box. On the receiving end was captain Davide Adorni, who redirected the ball towards goal. Seemingly in slow motion, the ball reached the net as nobody seemed to move. Adorni got his goal.

It proved to be too much of a mountain to climb for Crotone, with ten minutes remaining Cittadella had the victory in their hands. With six goals scored on the night, Cittadella stay perfect in all competitions and go into the international break in 2nd place. Gorini stays perfect as a head coach, and the Cittadella offense has now scored 8 goals in 3 matches.

Another home win was secured, as the Granata have two weeks of rest on their way. Cremonese awaits as their next opponents on September 12th, with kickoff at 10:15am EST at the Stadio Giovanni Zini.