Cosenza vs Cittadella | All you need to know.
On May 5, 2022 by Jake IovineMatchday 38. The penultimate day in the season has Cittadella left out on the implications, but can still cause a shake in the relegation battle.
Cittadella were hoping to be fighting for playoff action at the end of the season. As it turns out, the 2021/22 season for the Granata will end on Friday, with next August already being thought of.
It’s not the same story for Cosenza down at the Stadio Gigi Marulla. Their season is riding on the line as three teams battle it out on the fight to stay in the league.
In a nutshell, it’s in Cosenza hands to be able to force a playout next week. Any dropped points will have them nervously watching the Alessandria – Vicenza game in Piemonte. A Vicenza win means the Lupi will have to also get the three points against Edoardo Gorini’s Cittadella.
It’s going to be one heck of a final day, so let’s get you caught up on the team news.
Cittadella
It feels Cittadella have been eliminated from playoff contention for a while, yet here we are closing out the season in Calabria. Currently in 11th place, the highest they can climb is 9th place, looking to finish with two consecutive wins.
The relegation battle involves three teams fighting to avoid the automatic drop. Two of them play each other, that being Alessandria and Vicenza. Cosenza have to play Cittadella, who have very little to play for.
Cittadella fans will be eager to put this season behind them as they look into next season. It’s been a difficult year for Gorini and co, and now have to watch the promotion playoffs from home, something not done since 2015/16. Nevertheless Cittadella will be prepared to fight and give it their all, looking for their 14th win on the season.
Gorini will have a limited selection for his starting eleven, however. Enrico Baldini is set to miss out on the season finale, ending a career best season with 10 goals and 1 assist. Another key player out for the Granata is Alessio Vita, who also ends his very solid year with Cittadella. Currently, 22 players have traveled to Cosenza, all ready to play.
It’s not the position we were hoping for at the start of the season, but a chance to end the year with two back-to-back teams would be a positive light for Gorini and his staff to work into next year.
Cosenza
In quite the opposite of Cittadella, Cosenza are fighting for everything on Friday night. In front of an expected full crowd at the Stadio Gigi Marulla, Cosenza know a win will assure them a two legged playout against the other team in that category.
Head coach Pierpaolo Bisoli’s side earned a hard fought draw in Pisa last weekend, a point that steers them one point clear of 18th place Vicenza. Due to the Cosenza having the head-to-head advantage over Il Lane, it basically gives the Calabrian club a two point advantage over their relegation rivals.
Vicenza will be in action against Alessandria at the same time. A victory for Vicenza will be a blow for Cosenza, because in case of that situation happening, Cosenza would need all three points at the Marulla.
We’re prepared for chaos, and it’s likely both sets of fans will be setting their notifications for each game. But one thing stays the same for Cosenza: you win, and you survive another week in the league.
Bisoli announced the team will train the morning of the game to give an idea on who’s ready to play. Therefore, no official squad list has been released. However, there are hints that top scorer Michele Camporese will unlikely play Friday night. Fellow forward Joaquin Larrivey is also expected to miss the match after some absence due to a flu infection. The man who scored against Cittadella in the reverse fixture, Giuseppe Caso, also has some problems according to Bisoli.
The whole week Cosenza fans have been gathering at the ticket lines to make sure they are present at the Marulla. Cosenza players are going to need everything to get past this hurdle, and make it to the playout. All seven of their wins have came at their house, which will undoubtedly give them a huge advantage.