Venezia vs Cittadella | Match Preview
On January 27, 2023 by Jake IovineMatch: Venezia vs Cittadella – Serie BKT Matchday 22
Date: Saturday, January 28th – 8:00am EST
Venue: Stadio Pierluigi Penzo – Venezia
TV (USA): Helbiz Live, OneFootball
Cittadella return to Venice for the first time since the playoff final loss on Saturday as they face Venezia in a crucial relegation match.
The match is set to be a relegation 6-pointer, with both teams sitting towards the bottom of Serie B. Cittadella currently have 23 points and are in 17th, while Venezia sit in 18th with 20 points.
Both Venetian teams have had difficult seasons so far, considering the expectations put on them from the start. Venezia, having been in Serie A last season, has not been inside the top 8 of the table so far this season. Cittadella have also had an underwhelming first half of the season, though positive results in the opening games of the new year gives some optimism to the Granata fanbase.
After a hard fought 0-0 draw against Cagliari last weekend, Cittadella will now have to travel to the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo without several key starters, including central midfielder Simone Branca. Branca has been the anchor in midfield for Cittadella this season, but he will be absent in the center of the park on Saturday.
Venezia has gone winless in their last four, and has not won a game since December 11th. It’ll be the first game for the Arancioneroverde without the likes of Domen Crnigoj and Przemyslaw Wisniewski, who both moved to Serie A clubs this past week. There is some good news for Venezia however, that’s because Russian international Denis Cheryshev is back in the starting lineup after an injury picked up in November. Cheryshev has already made 3 goals and 1 assist in just 10 games for Venezia.
Saturday will be the first time Cittadella return to the Penzo since May 2021, when the Granata‘s Serie A dreams were crushed following the second leg. Cittadella fans are eyeing revenge, but on the other side it’s a massive game for both clubs as they try to move out of the relegation zone.
Cittadella; OUT: Mastrantonio, Salvi, Branca, Baldini, Felicioli, Danzi, Magrassi. YELLOW CARD WATCH: Kastrati, Lores Varela.
Venezia; OUT: Zabela. YELLOW CARD WATCH: Tessmann.
Top Photo: AS Cittadella