LIVE TEXT: Cittadella beats Pergolettese in regular season opener
On August 22, 2026 by Jake IovineCittadella plays its opening game of the 2026/27 Serie C regular season as the Granata host Pergolettese at the Stadio Piercesare Tombolato.
Follow along below for live updates on the match.
Thanks for following along!
That’s all we have time for at the Tombolato as Cittadella defeat Pergolettese 2-0.
Musso’s side returns next Monday for a road game against Renate. Pergolettese host Union Brescia next Sunday.
Stay tuned for more reaction and analysis from the match on cittacalciousa.com. Thank you for following along this evening!
FULLTIME: Cittadella 2-0 Pergolettese
That’s the fulltime whistle as Cittadella gets off to a winning start with a home victory over Pergolettese. Joseph Ekuban and Eduard Ihnatov with the goals in a relatively comfortable performance for the hosts.
90’ – GOAL CITTADELLA
What a moment for Ihnatov as he scores off the rebound and secures the three points for Cittadella.
Doldi initially pushes aside an effort by Sangali, but it falls right to the youngster as he gives the Granata a 2-0 lead as the match enters stoppage time.
86’ CIT substitution
Zilio is on for Martella as Cittadella try to see this game out.
82’ Changes for both sides
Three subs for Cittadella: OFF Anastasia ON Bunino. ON Sangali OFF Barberis. ON Ihnatov OFF Paolucci.
Pergolettese make one change: Orlandi for Ferrandino.
80’ CIT 1-0 PER
Still no substitutions for Cittadella as 10 minutes remain in this contest.
75’ CHANCE (CIT)
That’s the closest Cittadella has come in the second half.
The ball falls to Ndrecka at the far post and he fires a shot across the face of goal. He’s inches away for doubling the Granata’s lead.
Will that miss prove costly at the end of the match?
70’ CHANCE (PER)
Pergolettese goes close to equalizing. Counter attack sees Corti race onto the ball and hit a strike which is deflected off Cecchetto.
Giosa is now using his first FVS card for a possible penalty for the visitors.
Referee Zini says no penalty.
65’ Pergolettese substitutions
The visitors make the first changes of the game. Ex Cittadella man Stronati is on as well as Evangelista. Pala and Pavanello are off.
61’ CIT 1-0 PER
Cittadella players asking why Tremolada hasn’t been sent off for a foul on Anastasia. It’s a late tackle by the Pergolettese midfielder who is already on a yellow. But referee Marco Zini issues only a warning.
58’ – Another chance for Falcinelli
It’s again the captain who tries to get the second goal for Cittadella. His effort is once again tame and blocked, allowing for an easy save for Doldi.
46’ SECOND HALF KICKOFF!
Underway for the second half – and it’s an early opportunity for Falcinelli. His header however is a poor one and rolls harmlessly at Doldi.
HALFTIME: Cittadella 1-0 Pergolettese
Cittadella leads at halftime thanks to a goal in the 15th minute by Joseph Ekuban.
It’s been a relatively comfortable first half for Musso’s side except for the opening 10 minutes, where Pergolettese missed a golden chance from Tremolada.
44’ – Falcinelli long distance strike
Falcinelli tries a shot from long way out. It’s comfortably saved by Doldi, but it’s a decent effort by the veteran.
In the meantime, there will be two minutes of added time.
40’ – CIT 1-0 PER
Cittadella hasn’t created much still that D’Alessio chance in the 20th minute. But neither has Pergolettese. The game is slowly creeping toward halftime.
25’ – Cooling break
We’ve reached the cooling break for the first half. It’s another hot one at the Tombolato this evening.
Cittadella still in the lead, 1-0.
20’ – Cittadella 1-0 Pergolettese
The Granata are settling into this game well after an early scare. Moments after Ekuban’s goal, D’Alessio nearly doubles the lead but Doldi pushes his effort over the bar.
15’ – GOAL CITTADELLA
With its first attempt on goal of the game, Joseph Ekuban opens the scoring for Cittadella.
Barberis sends the ball into the box and it’s the former Renate man who finishes an impressive first-time effort.
7’ – CHANCE (PER)
What a chance for Tremolada! All alone at the far post but he sends his one-time effort over the bar.
What a miss and huge let off for Cittadella.
4’ – SAVE
Already an early save for Alessandro Zanellati as Pergolettese find space on the counter attack. It’s a tame shot and easy save for the Cittadella Keeper.
Moments later Paolucci hits a volley over the bar for the Granata.
1’ – KICKOFF!
The ball rolls as Pergolettese gets this 2026/27 regular season underway!
17:59 CET
Two teams finally make their way out of the tunnel. A bit of a late start here at the Tombolato.
17:00 CET – Both teams name starting XI’s
The team news is in for Cittadella and Pergolettese with about an hour until kickoff.
Just one change for Roberto Musso from last weekend’s Coppa Italia Serie C win as Joseph Ekuban replaces Simone Rabbi in attack.
CITTADELLA: Zanellati; Toffanin, Barberis, Anastasia, Falcinelli, Ekuban, D’Alessio, Paolucci, Cecchetto, Ndrecka, Martella
PERGOLETTESE: Doldi; Arini, Pala, Ferrandino, Corti, Dell’Orco, Tremolada, Pavanello, Zaia, Bassi, Roversi.
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