Late Feralpisalo goal dents Cittadella playoff hopes

Cittadella were denied a first home win in three months after conceding a 90+4′ goal against Feralpisalo to draw 1-1.

The Granata had not won at the Stadio Piercesare Tombolato since Jan. 13, and were aiming to secure an important three points in the race for playoffs. A late goal from Alessandro Pietrelli forced Cittadella to share the points on Saturday afternoon.

“It’s normal that this feels like a loss after conceding so late,” Cittadella head coach Edoardo Gorini said in his post-match conference. “The standings don’t change much after today, only with a game less. Now we have to go to Como to win.”

Lorenzo Carissoni scored his second goal of the season for Cittadella in the 22nd minute, firing a volley inside the box after a scramble from the Feralpisalo defense. The goal was the fullback’s first since scoring against Catanzaro in late September.

After the 14:00 Serie B games finished minutes before the start at the Tombolato, Cittadella knew that a victory would see the Granata confirm safety and at least another season in the second division. A win would also put Gorini’s side into the play-off zone with three games to go, after Brescia, Pisa and Sampdoria dropped points earlier.

It was another disappointing offensive performance from Cittadella as the Granata could only tally one shot on target in the whole match. Gorini’s side came into the match having drawn 0-0 twice in a row.

Feralpisalo created more chances as the match progressed in the second half. Defensive blocks from Edoardo Sottini and Matteo Angeli denied the visitors the equalizer after halftime as Marco Zaffaroni’s side pressed late on. Feralpisalo had five shots on target throughout the match.

The goal came deep into stoppage time for the Verdazzurri as substitute Alessandro Pietrelli scored his first goal of the season. In a late counter attack, Pietrelli passed a few Cittadella defenders before firing the ball past Elhan Kastrati.

It’s a draw that keeps Cittadella outside the play-off zone by a point with three games remaining. Feralpisalo remain in 19th and five points adrift from the relegation play-out spots.

“The standings don’t change: we have three difficult games, but every game is difficult,” Gorini said. “It’s not impossible to win against Como and Cremonese.”

PHOTO: Massimo Felicetti