Cittadella exit Coppa Italia after Sassuolo defeat
On August 9, 2024 by Jake IovineCittadella were knocked out of the Coppa Italia following a 2-1 defeat to Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium on Friday.
The two clubs were meeting for the first time in a decade as they faced off in the Round of 64 of the Coppa Italia. Sassuolo have now won three straight games against Cittadella in all competitions.
The hosts took the lead minutes before halftime as Samuele Mulattieri scored for the first time since his brace against Cosenza a year ago. Mulattieri slotted home a through pass from Nedim Bajrami, giving the Neroverdi the lead at the break.
Cittadella responded quickly in the second half as Enrico Baldini scored his 19th club goal in the 48th minute. New signing Jacopo Desogus recorded an assist in his first match with the Granata.
The lead would only last ten minutes as Sassuolo replied with Armand Lauriente scoring from long range. The French attacker found space on the top of the box, putting the ball into the side netting.
Edoardo Gorini’s side could only manage two shots in the second half, with a combined expected goals of 0.08. Sassuolo finished the match with 15 total shots, with six of them being on target.
The Neroverdi will advance to the Round of 32 where they’ll face the winner of Lecce and Mantova. Both clubs will be in Serie B action next weekend, with Cittadella facing Salernitana at the Stadio Arechi while Sassuolo travel to Catanzaro.
PHOTO: Andrea Vignoli / U.S. Sassuolo