Cittadella vs Parma | Match Preview
On February 9, 2024 by Jake IovineMatch: Cittadella vs Parma – Serie BKT Matchday 24
Date: February 10, 2024 – 14:00 local (8:00am EST)
Venue: Stadio Piercesare Tombolato – Cittadella
Cittadella hosts league leaders Parma at the Stadio Piercesare Tombolato on Saturday, looking to snap a three game losing streak.
The Granata have had a positive season so far, but a recent dip in form has seen Edoardo Gorini’s side only four points above the play-off line. Cittadella has never beaten Parma in club history, having a 0-3-6 record against I Crociati.
“We said that Parma is not an unbeatable team, they lost two weeks ago in Modena,” Gorini said on Friday in his pre-match press conference. “It’s clear that the level of difficulty is high because we are facing the first place team.”
Parma leads the way in Serie B after 23 games played. Fabio Pecchia’s side currently holds a three point lead in first place, having played a game less than 2nd place Como.
Top scorers Dennis Man and Adrian Benedyczak have scored a combined 16 goals for Parma this season. Benedyczak scored a penalty in the last meeting between the two clubs in August, finishing as a 2-0 win for I Crociati.
Cittadella has stumbled with form recently. After going nine games unbeaten, Gorini’s men have lost three straight games in Serie B for the first time this season. The Granata were shutout for only the fourth time this season in their 2-0 loss to Brescia last weekend.
Center back Nicola Pavan has started every game in Serie B for Cittadella this season, however he will have to miss Saturday’s clash with Parma due to a thigh injury. The injury was less serious than initially thought, but Pavan will still be out for the weekend, according to Gorini. Cittadella will also be missing midfielder Francesco Amatucci and defender Federico Giraudo due to injuries.
PHOTO: Massimo Felicetti