Cittadella breath new life after 0-2 win against Reggiana

Cittadella returned to winning ways after 11 games following a 0-2 away win against Reggiana on Saturday afternoon.

The Granata were suffering their longest winless streak since being promoted back into Serie B in 2016, having not won a match since Jan. 13. A goal and assist from second half substitute Luca Pandolfi gave Cittadella a much-needed victory at the Mapei Stadium.

“We were in a difficult moment and this is best medicine,” Cittadella head coach Edoardo Gorini said after the match. “Obviously after 11 games without a win you start to play with a bit of fear and tension, but the goal we scored released some of that.”

Cittadella had not won a road match since Dec. 2 coming into the weekend, while Reggiana had only lost once in their last 14 games. Gorini’s side had to deal with the absence of forward Filippo Pittarello, who was still recovering from an injury in Cittadella’s previous match. Center back Stefano Negro also did not make the trip to Reggio Emilia following an injury in training.

Second half substitute Luca Pandolfi scored his eighth goal of the season three minutes after coming into the match. The forward’s header slipped through the hands of Reggiana goalkeeper Giacomo Satalino, and put the Granata into the lead after 65 minutes.

Pandolfi would get an assist in the 78th minute to set up the second goal of the match by Simone Branca. The captain’s left footed strike was buried into the bottom corner, giving the midfielder his second goal of the campaign.

Despite Reggiana outshooting Cittadella 26-9 in the match, Gorini’s side made six shots on target, while the hosts could only force two saves from Elhan Kastrati.

Cittadella are now two points shy of 8th place–the last playoff spot–and seven points clear of the relegation play-out zone with six games remaining. Gorini’s men return home next weekend to face Ascoli.

“Saturday we have a direct clash with Ascoli, which for us will be like a final,” Gorini said. “If we win, we can ensure safety with five games remaining.”

PHOTO: AS Cittadella/Facebook