Venturato and Gorini meet for the first time, both as head coaches

A coaching reunion is set for Wednesday night in Ferrara. Former Cittadella coach Roberto Venturato meets his student, Edoardo Gorini, for the first time on different teams.

Two coaches with very similar footballing minds. For six years, Edoardo Gorini flew under Roberto Venturato’s wing at Cittadella, leading the club to five straight promotion playoff appearances, as well as two trips to the final.

Under Venturato, Cittadella boomed in growth. From the time he was appointed as coach in the summer of 2015, Cittadella entered a spectacular era under control of the Australian-born manager. His attractive playing style while using a shoestring budget nearly pulled off Italy’s greatest story about a little Venetian team.

Cittadella never eventually made the jump to Serie A in Venturato’s era, but it did prove that the Granata were the real deal, and promotion is on the horizon. After a second final lost in three years, Venturato resigned in the summer of 2021, ending a six year period under him.

Venturato’s quiet spell didn’t last long after he left his Cittadella post. A struggling SPAL team appointed the ex-Cittadella manager last January, hoping to revive their season halfway through. With eight games played under Venturato, SPAL have only picked up seven points, managing only one win in the process.

Throughout the six years, former Cittadella defender Edoardo Gorini assisted Venturato in the coaching staff. Having been appointed as assistant coach just a year before Venturato came in, Gorini still had a lot to learn as a football coach. With the six years with Venturato, Gorini gained valuable experience and ideas as assistant coach, with those having become useful today.

Now in his first year as a head coach, Gorini has done a fairly good job 26 matches in. Trying to almost replicate on what Venturato did, Cittadella currently sit in 10th with a three way tie for 8th. The Granata are within touching distance of a playoff spot, and still have three important months left in the season. Gorini has picked up 11 wins as manager, but also 7 losses that have caused some concern.

Venturato will be waiting for Gorini on Wednesday for Cittadella’s away trip to Ferrara. Two coaches with very similar football tactics meet again, but this time on opposite benches. Venturato is still looking to find a solidarity within his group, meanwhile Cittadella and Gorini continue to chase down the playoff pack. It will truly be a nice reunion not just for Gorini and Venturato, but for many Cittadella players who have played under both coaches in these past years.