Cittadella’s late goal trend could be shifting in its favor
On March 20, 2026 by Jake IovineConceding late goals is one of Cittadella’s kryptonite this season. But that trend could be heading in an opposite direction for Manuel Iori’s side as the team prepares for the final six games of the regular season.
No team in Girone A has conceded more goals after the 75th minute than Cittadella this season, with the Granata giving up 15 goals in the final 15 minutes plus stoppage times of games.
However, the trend is starting to flip in Iori’s squad’s favor. Cittadella has only conceded once after the 75th minute in its last six games – a run which the team has gone unbeaten with a 4-2-0 record.
Offensively, the Granata scored four goals in the final quarter hour during the unbeaten streak, bringing the team’s total goal tally in that time frame to 11 this season. Only Trento (13), Vicenza (14) and Union Brescia (15) have found the net more times in the final 15 minutes than Cittadella in the 2025-26 campaign.
The late game drama continues for Iori’s side: 22 of the 40 goals scored in the league came in the final 30 minutes of the game. Only one team, Vicenza, has scored more in that time frame, with the league leaders finding the net 25 times.
Davide Diaw’s stoppage time winner against Dolomiti Bellunesi on Sunday completed a second-half turnaround for the Granata, pushing the club to fifth place in the league. The late goal also meant Cittadella won its third game since the start of February after scoring a stoppage time goal.
Cittadella’s recent form puts the team one point behind third-placed Lecco entering Sunday’s away trip to Arzignano. The Granata‘s next three games following this weekend’s round of fixtures are against teams currently in the top four, including two home matches against Lecco and Trento.
TOP PHOTO: Massimo Felicetti / A.S. Cittadella