Preview: Cittadella concludes regular season against playoff-hopeful Giana Erminio

Cittadella continues its preparations toward the promotion playoffs as Manuel Iori’s squad hosts playoff-chasing Giana Erminio on Saturday night for the final game of the Serie C regular season.

The Granata secured a home playoff game for Round One of the Girone Phase after beating Novara last Sunday. Iori’s men could still finish in fifth place if they beat Giana and Renate fails to beat an already relegated Pro Patria side.

With Cittadella having little to play for on Saturday, the same can’t be said for the visitors from Gorgonzola. Vinicio Espinal’s side enters the final game one point below the playoff zone, meaning a loss would end the club’s hopes of making the postseason for the third straight year.

But a win for the Biancazzurri, combined with either Arzignano or AlbinoLeffe dropping points, would send them into the playoffs. Giana could also make Round One if it draws and both Arzginano and AlbinoLeffe lose – with the team having a superior head-to-head over the two sides.

“I want a real game,” Iori said in his pregame press conference. “They are coming to here to play for something and we have to play ours. In football nothing can be taken for granted – you never know what’s going to happened at the end of the 90th minute. Eventually we’ll draw a line and see where we are.

“I want a real match. We have to give answers to ourselves.”

Saturday night could very well be a preview of the first round on May 3. Giana will return to the Tombolato next weekend if Espinal’s side wins together with AlbinoLeffe dropping points and Arzignano being held to a draw.

A rematch could also take place if Giana draws, Inter U23 fails to win and both Arzignano and AlbinoLeffe lose.

“We are not in a position to avoid anyone,” Iori said on who he’d prefer to face in the first round. “We are in a position where, from here until the end, we have to face eight (team) to arrive in front.”

Iori’s side kept just its second clean sheet since the start of 2026 after recording a 1-0 win against Novara. The three points gives the Granata slight hope of finishing fifth place, which would guarantee home playoff games for at least the first two rounds.

However, that possibility requires Citta to win and hope Renate drops points at home against relegated Pro Patria.

“We prepare the game based on ourselves, not on the hypothesis on overtaking or not,” Iori said. “We have to think about finishing strong in these last few games to arrive well for the next one. For me, this game is as valid as the others, preparing it in the same way with extreme care and looking at the details.

“We are aware this game has a value to arrive well.”

All games in Girone A will kickoff simultaneously at 8:30 p.m. CET. Cittadella will be looking to win a regular season finale for the first time since the 2019/20 campaign.

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MATCH: Cittadella vs. Giana Erminio – Serie C Sky Wifi Matchday 38

DATE: April 25, 2026 – 20:30 CET (14:30 EST)

VENUE: Stadio Piercesare Tombolato – Cittadella

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TOP PHOTO: Massimo Felicetti / A.S. Cittadella