Cittadella strike late to get smash and grab victory.
On October 1, 2023 by Jake IovineTwo late goals from Filippo Pittarello and Claudio Cassano earned Cittadella an unlikely three points against Lecco on Sunday afternoon.
Trailing for majority of the game, it took the Granata only two minutes to completely turn the game on its head. Goals in the 87th and 89th minute gave Edoardo Gorini’s side an improbable win at the Stadio Piercesare Tombolato.
Lecco were winless and bottom of Serie B coming into the weekend, and were looking for its first win in the second division in over 50 years. Cittadella had only one win at home this season, and looked to make it two wins against the newly promoted side.
For the fifth time this season, the Granata fell behind first in the match as Lecco took the lead in the 20th minute thanks to Artur Ionita’s header. The Moldovan midfielder was left unmarked as he headed home a cross from Alessandro Caporale.
Cittadella did not threaten Lecco’s defense until very late on. Gorini’s side only had one shot on target in the first half, but were given a golden chance 10 minutes after halftime when referee Manuel Volpi awarded Cittadella a penalty. Filippo Pittarello, who had won the penalty, stepped up to take it. However, the striker failed to hit the frame, missing wide with a slight touch off the post.
With time running down, Pittarello wasn’t going to be denied a second time as he finally got his goal in Granata colors. After the initial save on Luca Pandolfi’s header, Pittarello was first to arrive on the rebound, equalizing the score in the 87th minute.
Incredibly, Cittadella went into the lead two minutes later when Claudio Cassano looped a header over keeper Umberto Saracco. Out of nowhere, Gorini’s side were in front.
It’s a smash and grab victory that could mean a lot in the future for Cittadella. They now improve to a 3-3-2 record and sit in 7th place after eight games in the league. The Granata get a full week of rest before they play Ternana next Saturday at the Tombolato, which kicks off at 16:15 local.
Top Photo: AS Cittadella