Cittadella’s home stretch: where will the Granata finish?
On March 23, 2024 by Jake IovineEight games remain for Cittadella in their 50th season as a club with the Granata finding themselves in the middle of a Serie B fight.
Edoardo Gorini’s side sits in 10th place as of the March international break, being only a point behind 8th place Brescia. Cittadella has collected 38 points from 30 games, three points better from where Gorini’s men were last season at this time.
Despite hunting for playoffs, Cittadella have not been spared from relegation yet. Only six points separates 16th place Ternana from Cittadella, and seven points from 18th place Spezia. This puts Gorini and co in a tricky position as the final two months of the seasons approaches: playoffs or playouts?
After defeating Palermo 2-0 in the first match of 2024, it seemed like relegation was an improbable scenario for Cittadella, having soared to 3rd in Serie B at the time. However, Cittadella have gone 10 games winless since that match, which included an eight game losing streak. The club is currently riding its longest winless streak since the 2014/15 season.
The recent run of form has plummeted Cittadella into 10th place – still a point from the playoff zone, but too close for comfort from the relegation risk.
In his third season as head coach, Gorini is looking to qualify for the promotion playoffs for his first time. After 30 games, this is Gorini’s second best point tally with 38 points, three points better than last season but six points worse from his first season.
The club has qualified for the Serie B promotion playoffs six times in its history. During those times, Cittadella had at least 51 points to ensure a playoff spot, as shown by the green lines in the graph below.
If the past seasons aline to the current, Cittadella must get into the 50 point area to give themselves a chance of sneaking into the playoffs. It’s important to note that every season is different, and it’s possible that a team with less than 50 points can still miss out on the playoffs.
On the other hand, 40 points or less is likely to put a team into a relegation scrap. Two more wins should put the Granata‘s relegation fears to rest.
There’s still everything to play for in the Serie B with eight games left. For Cittadella, their final position in Gorini’s third season as head coach is still undetermined.
Cittadella’s remaining games:
MD 31 – Lecco (A)
MD 32 – Reggiana (A)
MD 33 – Ascoli (H)
MD 34 – Sudtirol (A)
MD 35 – Feralpisalo (H)
MD 36 – Como (A)
MD 37 – Bari (H)
MD 38 – Cremonese (A)
PHOTO: Massimo Felicetti