Cittadella defeated 2-1 after late Como comeback

Cittadella suffered a damaging blow to their playoff hopes after a late Como comeback on Wednesday at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.

Forward Filippo Pittarello fired the Granata into the lead with 20 minutes remaining, but Como scored twice–including in the 95th minute–to send them four points clear in 2nd place. Edoardo Gorini’s side had only won once in their last 15 games as Cittadella were looking for a shock win entering the match.

“We played one of our best matches and I think we deserved to win,” Gorini said to Sky Sport after the match. “We conceded late again, a goal that was spoiled by a clear foul, but we have to accept this and have to keep the attitude and great performance.”

Cittadella arguably had the better chances to take the lead in a tense first half. Pittarello missed a chance after being through on goal in the 11th minute, but his shot steered wide. The striker also had a chance in the 34th minute to break the deadlock, but his controlled touch didn’t lead to a goal as he pulled another shot wide.

Defender Matteo Angeli came close to scoring his first goal of the season on the stroke of halftime. After the ball was miss-cleared by the Como defense, Angeli found himself in behind, but his low shot was parried by Adrian Semper.

Pittarello had four attempts on goal in the match, and he finally got his breakthrough in the 71st minute after poking the ball past Semper following a giveaway. The striker has now scored five goals in Serie B this season.

Como equalized quickly after the restart as substitute Simone Verdi’s shot hit the post and into the side netting.

The hosts got the winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time after Edoardo Goldaniga finished off a scramble in the box. Cittadella goalkeeper Elhan Kastrati made the initial save from the corner, but the center back was unmarked at the far post to give Como the lead.

The loss breaks Cittadella’s seven match unbeaten run as the Granata fall three points behind 8th place Brescia. Despite the loss, Gorini’s side have clinched safety in Serie B for the eighth straight season following other results in the league. Cittadella can still qualify for the promotion playoffs, but will need to make up ground in the standings.

“This is football and we have to accept it,” Gorini said. “As long as there’s a chance to make playoffs, we will believe in it.”

PHOTO: Antonio Saia/LaPresse