Cittadella needing a response as the Granata host league leaders Sassuolo

Two teams in complete different worlds. That’s the story this season for Cittadella and Sassuolo, who face each other on Saturday afternoon at the Stadio Piercesare Tombolato.

The Neroverdi, who sit top of Serie B with 66 points, have already beaten Cittadella twice this season. One came in the Coppa Italia, while the other came in October during a 6-1 win at the Mapei Stadium. Fabio Grosso will be looking to win for the first time at the Tombolato as a head coach as Sassuolo aims to maintain a nine-point lead in first place.

For the Granata, Alessandro Dal Canto’s men are searching for a response following last Sunday’s joint-worst home defeat against Sudtirol. Cittadella sits two points clear of the relegation play-out zone entering the final game before the international break.

“We must make up for the poor impression we made last Sunday,” Dal Canto said in his prematch press conference.

“We are in a delicate moment,” he said. “The team has shown psychological difficulties many times during the season, it is not easy to touch the right chords during the week.”

Saturday could prove to be another long afternoon for Dal Canto’s side. Sassuolo enters the weekend in pole position with a 20-6-3 record. Attacking firepower between Armand Laurienté, Domenico Berardi, Nicholas Pierini, Samuele Mulattieri and Kristian Thorstvedt gives the Neroverdi the most goals scored in the league (60).

Laurienté, who scored 13 of those goals and provided five assists, will miss Saturday’s match due to yellow card suspension.

“Sassuolo is a step above everyone,” Dal Canto said. “We have to make little to zero mistakes in the game, and hoping they don’t have a good day. This is what we can control, and we also need a bit of luck. The value of the opponent is out of discussion, but the games are always to be played.”

The Tombolato has proven to be a difficult place for Cittadella this season. The Granata have lost four straight games in Veneto and hold the worst home record in the league, collecting only 11 points from 14 home games. Cittadella did not lose more than four consecutive games last season at the Tombolato, but Dal Canto’s side can extend its streak to five games with a defeat against the league leaders.

“Every one of us needs to have a certain reaction,” Dal Canto said. “It is not easy to stay calm, but I think it is worse to lose your head like what happened on Sunday. We know we have done a lot of damage and we must fix it.”

MATCH: Cittadella vs Sassuolo – Serie BKT Matchday 30

DATE: March 15, 2025 – 15:00 CET (10:00 a.m. EST)

VENUE: Stadio Piercesare Tombolato – Cittadella

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TOP PHOTO: Massimo Felicetti / A.S. Cittadella