Goals stumped once again in Pisa

Another game, another goalless performance by Cittadella. Now they get a two week break, hoping to re-energize and re-focus on playoff objectives.

Time and games are slowly running out for Edoardo Gorini and Cittadella to save their playoff hopes. They took another dent as promotion contenders Pisa earn an important 1-0 victory in front of their fans.

Cittadella’s attack had been stalling ever since the injury to Mamadou Tounkara and the suspension of Orji Okwonkwo. With two key attackers out, the offense has been struggling to create scoring chances, and Sunday afternoon was no different.

The loss–which is the 9th of the season–sets the Granata further back from their playoff ambitions. Even with Ascoli and Perugia losing today, Cittadella still remain five points behind 8th place.

From the first whistle, Pisa came ready to play, and you can see it in the first half. Cittadella couldn’t get anything in the final third, despite having fundamental playmakers Enrico Baldini and Mirko Antonucci on the pitch. But without someone like Okwonkwo or Tounkara, there’s only so much Giacomo Beretta can do alone up top.

Pisa looked the better team, and took the lead in the 40th minute catching Cittadella in transition. Former Cittadella midfielder Nicholas Siega received the ball on the corner of the 18 before whipping a cross to the near post. The cross was met by in-form striker Ernesto Torregrossa, who fired Pisa in the lead with a bullet header.

Just seconds after, new signing Dario Del Fabro had to be substituted off the pitch with an injury. It’s once again another injury to worry about for Cittadella, and it’s another key starter for Gorini that is injured.

Near the end of the first half, Cittadella finally got a shot on goal from Alessio Vita, but it wasn’t enough to test goalkeeper Nicolas. Minutes after the second half, Vita once again had his shot from outside the 18 denied by the Brazilian keeper.

Pisa dominated from a lot of the first half. But as the score kept at 1-0 and edged deeper into the second half, you could sense the anxiety building around the Stadio Arena Garibaldi. A big mach for both sides–and arguably more for Pisa–it was clear the next goal scored was going to be a momentum shifter.

Cittadella looked for the equalizer; Enrico Baldini finally got into a dangerous position after taking on the Pisa defense, but couldn’t get a good shot off the tight angle. The chance led to nothing, but it was clear Cittadella were growing into the game.

All of the work and hope was quickly shot down by Domenico Frare’s second yellow card. A clumsy tackle from behind gave the referee no choice but to send him off. A huge blow for the Granata at that point, as they were starting to take over the game.

Frare’s red card really ended the hopes of salvaging at least a point. The entire game Cittadella never tested Nicolas and didn’t put Pisa’s defense on high alert. Despite the score being 1-0, the scoring chances never came for Gorini’s side. It’s a big concern when you look at what’s ahead of them in April.

They still have a somewhat good chance of sneaking in the playoffs. The question is though with seven games remaining: who will score? Cittadella can’t be relying on penalties or defensive mistakes for goals, we need another way. Tounkara looks to be out for the rest of the season, as too for Okwonkwo. Beretta is not the type of player to make runs in behind the defense like Okwonkwo, Tavernelli, and Tounkara. Gorini has a lot to think about heading into a two week period where no games will be played.

For once the international break is shaping up to be a lifeline for Cittadella. So many times it stopped the momentum in previous games, but now the break hasn’t been at a better time than right now. Cittadella has their home stretch and a massive month of April ahead of them. They return to the field April 2nd at the Tombolato to face Ternana, a game you have to say is a must win.