Cittadella comeback falls short in Bari, remains in relegation zone

For majority of the second half, a sense of anxiety rung around the Stadio San Nicola as Cittadella pushed for an equalizing goal.

Two quick goals after halftime saw the Granata pull within one score of Bari, and pushed for a last-gasp draw. Alessandro Dal Canto’s men entered halftime down three goals, but pulled within reaching distance after a 55th minute strike from Luca Pandolfi.

“Football lives on key moments, but today it would be incorrect to analyze only the result,” Dal Canto said in his postmatch press conference. “Today the players did what they had to do, even on a difficult pitch. We shouldn’t have lost, but let’s start again from the positive aspects of this match.”

Cittadella were not able to get the equalizer as the Granata suffer another loss, losing 3-2 on Sunday afternoon in Bari. Left-back Lorenzo Carissoni scored his first goal of the season for Dal Canto’s side, while Pandolfi netted his second goal in his last three games.

The result leaves Cittadella penultimate in the Serie B standings with 12 points, sitting three points adrift from safety. The Granata have recorded their joint-second worst points tally in Serie B after 14 games. Only in the 2001/02 season did the club have fewer points in the second tier at this stage of the season.

“Now our goal is to try to reach the relegation play-outs,” Dal Canto said. “The first goal will be not to lose against Juve Stabia [next weekend]. We are not in a mental condition to aspire for anything else at this time.”

Traveling without key players, Cittadella fielded a backline consisting of three 21-year-old defenders. Stefano Piccinini made his first start for the club, but was immediately punished five minutes into the game as Kevin Lasagna passed the debutant to give Bari the opening goal.

Within a few minutes before the break, Bari scored twice to go up 3-0 entering halftime. A penalty by Giuseppe Sibilli and a wonder volley by Raffaele Maiello put the Galletti in a commanding position after 45 minutes.

The tide turned in 10 minutes, however, as Cittadella scored two unanswered to make it a one score game. Lorenzo Carissoni’s deflected shot ended in the net. Three minutes later, Luca Pandolfi pounced on a rebounded shot from Simone Rabbi to make the game 3-2.

The Granata were unable to create another big scoring opportunity as Bari went on to claim three points at home. Dal Canto’s men suffer their eighth loss of the season.

“We must not lose the spirit seen in Bari,” the Cittadella boss said. “Serie B is very leveled towards the top, there’s a large group of 13 teams that can fight for any objective. I see a lot of balance.”

PHOTO: Massimo Felicetti / A.S. Cittadella