Cittadella earns draw against Juve Stabia after first half frenzy

For the second time this season, and only for the second time since April, Cittadella scores two goals in a match after finding the net twice on Saturday.

Two goals in the first half from the Granata illuminated the Stadio Piercesare Tombolato, where Alessandro Dal Canto’s men were looking for their first home victory since January. But Cittadella’s defensive problems were not solved as Juve Stabia scored twice within 10 minutes.

“Today we scored twice like last weekend, but we also conceded twice,” Dal Canto said in his postgame interview. “We have to concede less. Today, paradoxically we didn’t give up too much but still conceded two goals. Not conceding allows you to be in the match for longer and if not, you’re always chasing the game.”

Cittadella settled for a 2-2 draw with Juve Stabia on Saturday afternoon at the Tombolato, a result that keeps the Granata in 19th place and stretches their winless home streak to 15 games.

Dal Canto’s men outshot the Vespe 7-3 in the first half, finding their goal in the 22nd minute through Francesco Amatucci. The midfielder’s header found the net following a cross from Edoardo Masciangelo, netting his first goal of the season.

Juve Stabia responded eight minutes later from a corner kick as Leonardo Candellone’s near post run and flicked header found the side netting.

Nearly ten minutes following the equalizer, the visitors took the lead from a sensational bicycle kick by defender Francesco Folino. The 22-year-old popped the ball in the air from the edge of the box and riffled his effort into the bottom corner.

The Granata found a lifeline in the dying minutes of the half as they were awarded a penalty from a handball. Luca Pandolfi made no mistake from the spot, scoring his third goal in four games for Cittadella.

“It was a competitive game,” Dal Canto said. “There were very few technical contents. We were lucky to bounce back before halftime, otherwise it would’ve been difficult to comeback.”

The second half proved to be less intense than the first. Both teams tallied five combined shots on target after halftime. It was a physical second half as both sides committed 14 fouls each.

Perhaps the biggest chance of the half came minutes before stoppage time, when Cittadella striker Mario Ravasio had two shots saved by Juve Stabia goalkeeper Demba Thiam. The substitute fired two shots at the visiting goalkeeper, only to have his efforts kept out twice.

The draw keeps Cittadella penultimate in the Serie B standings with 13 points.

“If we had lost today, it would have been a big blow,” Dal Canto said. “I told Stefano Marchetti the day before yesterday that I am very confident and I think I can show this confidence to the guys as well.”

Cittadella enters the last month of 2024 next weekend at the Stadio Alberto Picco, where the club will face an unbeaten Spezia side on Dec. 8.

PHOTO: A.S. Cittadella