Good memories in Monza! Can Cittadella do it again at the U-Power Stadium?
On October 22, 2021 by Jake IovineOn Saturday afternoon, AS Cittadella will be taking on AC Monza for the fifth time in 2021!
It was only a few months ago when the Granata overcome the odds and advanced to the promotion final over star-studded Monza. In a tense affair, Citta edged the Silvio Berlusconi owned Monza team with an aggregate score of 3-2. The night saw Monza being eliminated from top flight football for next year, despite having the likes of Mario Balotelli and Kevin Prince Boateng.
Fast forward to October 2021, and Cittadella and Monza face each other again. Now with fans back in the stadium, the home team will be wanting redemption for that semi final match.
But Cittadella are also wanting another memorable match against I Bagai. Even Cittadella midfielder Alessio Vita, who played for Monza from 2012 through 2015, is not taking his former club lightly.
“Many unavailable for the Biancorossi? Monza still counts on important names: it is and remains one of the most serious candidates for promotion.” Vita expressed to Il Mattino di Padova. “We have recently beaten them in the Coppa Italia but we know that Serie B is another story. We have shown that we can play it with everyone.”
It’s never been doubted that Cittadella can hang with the big boys of Serie B. When it comes to facing Monza, Cittadella have beaten the Biancorossi twice in 2021. The biggest win, however, came on May 17.
Midfielder Enrico Baldini put on a show in the first leg of the promotion playoffs. A hat trick saw Citta take a 3-0 lead going into the second leg (in which they won) and marked the performance as one of the best matches in Cittadella history.
Even today, Baldini still reflects on that special match, and has boosted expectations from everybody.
“After that game, the expectations of others have increased, but also those that I have towards myself.” Baldini told TMW. “That evening gave me a different awareness. A hat-trick in my first playoffs, it was all new to me.”
Certainly that match made heads turn all across Italy. And it’s no denying that Cittadella has had amazing moments against Monza.
This Saturday is once again another test and another opportunity on the road. For the FIFTH time in 2021, Cittadella and Monza face each other in a Serie B match.
Anything can happen in this match, despite Monza not being at their best lately. This match will end 2-1…to Cittadella! Baldini will continue to haunt the U-Power Stadium and score again, as well as Mirko Antonucci netting a goal in the process.