Cittadella 0-0 Catanzaro: No breakthrough moment at the Tombolato

Cittadella played out a 0-0 tie against Catanzaro on Saturday afternoon as the Granata earn their second draw of the season.

The Venetian side has now drawn its last six home matches in Serie B and is still without a victory at the Stadio Piercesare Tombolato since January. Catanzaro earn its second goalless draw of the campaign after the 0-0 tie with Cittadella.

Granata head coach Edoardo Gorini made three changes to the lineup from the team’s win in Modena before the international break. Goalkeeper Luca Maniero made his second start of the season for the injured Elhan Kastrati.

“It was an equal match and a match that we expected,” Gorini said in his post-match press conference. “Catanzaro is a team that likes to possess the ball. In the first half, we had four or five chances because our ball-recovery phase was really good.”

Cittadella created nearly double the amount of chances that Catanzaro had in the first half but failed to put any into the net. The Granata‘s biggest chance of the game came in the 23rd minute when Francesco Amatucci’s header from the corner kick struck the crossbar.

“I think the draw is a fair result,” Gorini said. “I’m happy with the presentation from the players today, but there’s still things to improve. It’s normal to be this way this early in the season.”

Gorini’s side lacked creativity in the final third after halftime. Both sides could only tally one shot on target each in the second half.

Catanzaro right back Mario Situm had an opportunity to score late for the visitors, but an open look at the far post resulted in a high shot over the bar. Minutes later, ex-Cittadella striker Filippo Pittarello put the ball into the net for Catanzaro, but the goal was quickly chalked off for a foul.

Cittadella’s wait for a home win goes on as the Granata settle for a point against the Calabrian side. Gorini’s men are back in action next Sunday against newly-promoted Mantova, while Catanzaro will host Cremonese on Friday.

“I’m happy with the attitude and presentation after five games,” Gorini said. “Cittadella’s weapons are always these: intensity, aggressiveness and rhythm. Our conditions are still improving and I’m happy with the points collected so far this season.”

PHOTO: Massimo Felicetti