Marchetti puzzled by Cittadella’s spirit in Sassuolo loss
On October 6, 2024 by Jake IovineCittadella sporting director Stefano Marchetti is puzzled by the Granata‘s performance after a record defeat against Sassuolo on Saturday.
A second half which saw Sassuolo score five unanswered goals gave Cittadella a 6-1 loss at the Mapei Stadium: the biggest defeat in club history. The Granata sit in the relegation zone after eight games in Serie B as the October international break begins.
Speaking the PadovaOggi following the record loss, Marchetti struggled to find words to explain the team’s performance against Sassuolo.
“I’ve never lost 6-1 in my career,” Marchetti said. “In the last two games, I haven’t seen the spirit that has distinguished us in these past years and there were things that I didn’t like. The truth is that we fall apart too easily. It’s certainly a mentality issue because I see reliable players–who have been here for many years–struggling, psychologically burdened and incapable of expressing the combative attitude inherent in this team.”
Cittadella entered halftime on Saturday tied at 1-1 following Alessio Vita’s 17th minute volley. In the second half, however, a brace from Kristian Thorstvedt and a pair of goals from Armand Lauriente and Nicholas Pierini gave the Neroverdi an emphatic 6-1 win.
“If the basics of Cittadella’s DNA aren’t there, which is never giving up, putting in grit, passion and character, the stage collapses,” Marchetti said. “I can’t remember a defeat so resounding. The more experienced players must convey a sense of belonging and the right attitude to the new ones.”
Head coach Edoardo Gorini is facing pressure after starting the season with the lowest point tally after eight games since the 2010/11 campaign.
“I have to take some time to reflect and then I will have a clearer idea on what to do,” Marchetti said on the possibility of Gorini’s removal. “It’s not easy to understand what’s happening, just as it’s not easy to understand why the guys gave up so suddenly. I’ve never fired a coach, but every time I’ve made a decision, I’ve done it by thinking very carefully about what I’m going to do or say.”
Cittadella will have two weeks to digest the 6-1 loss before hosting Cosenza on Oct. 19 at the Stadio Piercesare Tombolato.
“It’s a bad loss, the worst since I’ve been at Cittadella,” Marchetti said. “Certainly this defeat makes you think a lot.”
PHOTO: Massimo Felicetti