Cassandro’s rocket lifts Cittadella to victory, while also shaking up the promotion race.

Cittadella finished their home stance for the 2021/22 Serie B season with a win against promotion dreamers Brescia. Tommaso Cassandro’s first professional goal sends Cittadella supporters home content.

Despite all the ups and downs of the 19 home matches this season, Cittadella finish their home run with all three points on Saturday afternoon. Though it may not mean a lot to Cittadella’s position at this point of the season, the Granata‘s win shakes up the promotion race and sends fans home looking forward to next August.

Brescia had not beaten Cittadella since early 2017, and their difficult stretch extended after today. It was a must win for Eugenio Corini’s side if they wanted any chance of stealing an automatic promotion ticket. After the loss, Brescia will have to go through the playoff route to get back into the top division.

The first half took a while to kick into gear, but ten minutes after the whistle Giacomo Beretta nearly struck a beauty off the bike. His try was a routine stop for Jesse Joronen, but it was the start of a good attacking day for Edoardo Gorini’s men.

That attacking play came much later on in the game. The first half didn’t provide much with the two sides struggling to break each other down. Beretta once again got onto the end of a cross, this time by Simone Icardi. Joronen once again made himself big off his line.

With no Enrico Baldini in he lineup, it was Mirko Antonucci trying to run the show in midfield. But the main assist man was Camillo Tavernelli, who got his 5th start of the year. Despite having the least touches out of any player (32), Tavernelli’s delicate layoff was enough for left back Tommaso Cassandro to come on and hit a half volley. The ball traveled into the top corner with the cleanest hit you’ll see this season.

One player who had an impressive performance was Luca Maniero…again! For the second straight game, Maniero got the start in goal and earned his 5th clean sheet of the season. Maniero was called into action for five saves on the day, and similar to last Monday against Ascoli, lots of those saves came late on in the match.

Brescia continued to pile on the pressure late on, knowing points were a must at the Tombolato. Cittadella’s defense held firm once again, recording their 16th clean sheet of the season. With a few more Maniero saves, and some defensive determination led by Domenico Frare and Dario Del Fabro, Cittadella held on for the three points.

The three points may not do much for Cittadella, given they’ve been already eliminated from reaching the playoffs. The win does allow them to know that they’ll finish at least above 11th place, with an opportunity to finish above 10th with one game left.

For Brescia, this loss officially eliminates their chances of reaching the top 2. Corini and co will have to climb the playoff mountain in May, hoping to reach Serie A for the first time since 2019/20.

One matchday remains in Serie B: Cittadella travel to Cosenza next Friday. The relegation battle is truly alive thanks to Vicenza’s 103th minute winner earlier today. Cosenza will have everything to play for, trying to avoid the drop. Cittadella’s performances have improved over the last few games, and will look to finish the season with two back to back wins.