Cittadella seeks a derby win against Venezia.
On August 27, 2022 by Jake IovineMatch: Cittadella vs Venezia | Serie BKT Matchday 3
Date: Sunday, August 28th
Time: 2:45pm EST
Venue: Stadio Piercesare Tombolato – Cittadella
TV (USA): Helbiz Live
The two teams representing Veneto in Serie B this season go head-to-head under the Sunday night lights at the Tombolato. This will be the first time Cittadella and Venezia play each other since the 2021 promotion playoff finals, where Venezia prevailed as winners.
Cittadella has started their 2022/23 season to a good start, having beaten Serie A side Lecce and Pisa on Matchday 1. Despite a tough loss against Cagliari last weekend, the Granata have all eyes on the Venetian derby on Sunday.
It was a slow start for Venezia after finishing bottom of Serie A in May. The Arancioneroverdi lost their opening two fixtures of the season, one in the Coppa Italia to Ascoli then on opening weekend of Serie B action to Genoa. But a late own goal in Sudtirol gifted Venezia their first points of the season, and are aiming to make it back-to-back wins in league play.
Venezia have been in the minds of Cittadella in recent times. Cittadella has not beaten Venezia since July 2020, and are winless against the Arancioneroverdi in their last four meetings. The most famous game between the two sides was the most recent in May 2021: the second leg of the promotion playoff final. With Cittadella needing to win by two goals or more, a first half opener from Federico Proia made way for a nail-biting finale for both fanbases. In the end, Riccardo Bocalon sealed promotion for Venezia.
With 300 minutes already played in three games, it’s likely Cittadella head coach Edoardo Gorini will be thinking about changes in the starting eleven. While scoring goals haven’t been a problem for Gorini so far–tallying 8 goals in 3 games–Cittadella have also conceded 7 times to start the year. Tiredness could be an issue for the backline, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the tactician made rotations.
Newly appointed Venezia coach Ivan Javorcic has many players to pick from his disposal, including the American trio Andrija Novakovich, Tanner Tessmann, and Jack De Vreis. Former Sporting Kansas City midfielder Gianluca Busio will be missing for the match due to an ailment picked up during the week.
Javorcic has the job of trying to bring Venezia back to Serie A after being relegated last season. The coach spent his time at Sudtirol last season, helping them gain promotion into Serie B for the first time in history. Though a difficult start to the year, Venezia will want to win this game to jump into playoff position.
In front of an expected 3000+ fans at the Tombolato, it’s Sunday night lights in Serie B, and it’s a Venetian derby that could have big implications for both teams’ seasons.
Top Photo: AS Cittadella