Three points and four goals on opening night.

Another win on Serie B opening weekend for Cittadella after a thrilling 4-3 win against Pisa at the Tombolato on Saturday night.

Like last year in the same fixture, controversy was the main talking point from Cittadella’s win. An action packed second half saw five goals being scored, with Cittadella being awarded a total of three penalties on the night.

Pisa’s Gaetano Masucci got the visitors on the board first, after a scissor kick from close range caught the Cittadella defense sleeping. Enrico Baldini responded with a good finish into the bottom right corner following a set piece drill ran straight from the training ground.

But all the action happened in the second half. Masucci was involved again as the referee awarded a penalty to the Granata for a handball in the box. Baldini’s effort, however, was saved by Pisa goalkeeper Nicolas. On the follow up, an apparent arm to the face caught fullback Tommaso Cassandro as he was trying to tap in the rebound. Referee Luca Zufferli once again pointed to the spot after a lengthy VAR review, and this time Baldini converted to get his second goal of the night.

Cittadella’s momentum continued just minutes after when Mirko Antonucci snuck in behind the Pisa defense towards the goal. The attacking playmaker’s cross was deflected and went past Nicolas’ near post to double Cittadella’s lead.

If you thought this game was crazy enough, another penalty was awarded for Cittadella. It was once again another handball in the box, but this time the ball deflection landed directly at Antonucci. Antonucci put the ball into the net, but right when doing so Zufferli blew his whistle to award a penalty. In didn’t matter in the end, as Raul Asencio finished off his second goal in two successive games to put the game beyond reach. Afterwards, he made a little “shush” gesture to the Pisa fans, upsetting his former club’s fanbase online.

Despite all the favorable calls, Cittadella were very dominate in the second half. A lot can be taken away from the match, but Edoardo Gorini will be a little disappointed his defense let up two goals in the eight minutes of stoppage time, leading to a frantic finish at the Tombolato.

Three points is three points, and Cittadella earn their first win of their Serie B season.

In two back-to-back weekends, the Granata have taken down two difficult opponents: Lecce and Pisa. In addition, Cittadella have came back from a losing position to win a game in two straight games, something that they’ve had trouble doing in the past. The positivity will do wonders for their confidence ahead to a tricky away trip to Cagliari next weekend.

Top Photo: AS Cittadella