It’s official now: Cittadella are mathematically eliminated from the promotion playoffs

It was becoming more and more inevitable, but today it’s now 100% official. Cittadella’s Serie A dream will have to wait another year.

Similar to the Perugia game a few weeks back, Cittadella play to a stalemate on Monday afternoon against Ascoli. The Granata knew a loss at the Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca would eliminate any chance of making an improbable playoff push, and fought for a goalless draw under the sun in central Italy.

But just a few hours after the match, Frosinone firmly beat Monza 4-1 in front of their fans. The result officially eliminated Cittadella from playoff contention, ending a five year streak of the Granata featuring in May’s playoffs.

It’s a sad day for all fans of the club, but everyone knew it’s been coming. Since March, Cittadella have claimed just one victory in ten matches, slipping from an 8th place position to well beyond playoff reach. Injuries, suspensions, and season deciding games all were factors on why Cittadella failed their promotion bid this year, and now Stefano Marchetti and co have lots of work to do this summer.

The target for the remaining two games must be to finish with heart and courage. Despite a disappointing second half of the season, a top 10 finish for Edoardo Gorini in his first year wouldn’t be all gloomy.

Cittadella certainly showed some quality moments in this stretch of one win in ten games. And in this game against Ascoli–a team ahead of Cittadella and in a way taking their playoff spot–the Granata showed they can compete with the contenders like we know they can.

Ex-Ascoli forward Giacomo Beretta thought he had scored against his former club 26 minutes into the match, following a great ball served by Daniele Donnarumma. His header to the far post was chalked off due to Beretta being offside by about a yard.

Never the less, Cittadella had good spells of possession and kept Ascoli quiet in front of goal. As the match went on, the hosts were hungry for goals in game where they really needed the three points. Luca Maniero, who has only played six games this season, had himself a day with five saves, lots of those coming late on.

Saving a point and a clean sheet, Maniero made himself big on a 1 v 1 play vs ex-Cittadella man Frank Tsadjout. Maniero did the job, and denied Tsadjout the game winner late in the match.

With nearly the last kick of the match, Enrico Baldini thought he had won it in dramatic fashion. Looking to pick out the bottom corner, his effort from outside the 18 was pushed aside by Ascoli keeper Nicola Leali.

It’s a point that each team weren’t hoping for. Cittadella had to win for any sort of chance to sneak into the playoffs, while Ascoli looked for a win to cement their place in this years promotion playoffs.

It’s without a doubt a disappointment for Cittadella as they fail to make it six consecutive playoff appearances. Everyone wanted to immediately avenge the final loss to Venezia less than a year ago. Their ambitions must wait another year with an important summer looming ahead.