Mixed reactions in 1-1 draw with Ternana
On November 20, 2021 by Jake IovineCittadella and Ternana settle for a hard-fought draw Saturday afternoon. Both teams may feel they could’ve stolen the three points.
Alessio Vita got on the scoresheet for the second time this season. Cittadella escape with a point, but it couldn’t been much worse and a lot better.
The Granata had opportunities to double their advantage during the match. In addition, they nearly dropped the ball and could’ve give up a late winner.
Cittadella head coach Edoardo Gorini made two changes from two weeks ago. Amedeo Benedetti’s yellow card suspension meant Daniele Donnarumma was put at left back. Only days before the match, the club announced an injury to forward Orji Okwonkwo. An injury to his knee forced Gorini to fill Camillo Tavernelli in his place.
Straight away, the match balanced out between the home side and Cittadella. Without the hold up play by Okwonkwo, the midfielders had to make some of their own plays and challenge the Ternana defense.
A quick play down the left, Mirko Antonucci brought down a difficult ball, straight into the the path of Alessio Vita. Vita’s volley hit low and hard beat Antony Iannarilli near post. Halfway through the first half, Cittadella got the go-ahead goal.
After the breakthrough, the game slowed down with Cittadella managing the Ternana attack. A chance came with a header from Adorni, but the ball just scrapped the hair of the center back.
At that point, it seemed like a good first 45 from the Granata. A short scare from Elhan Kastrati was the only sense of worry from the back line all half.
The insurance goal were in sights of Cittadella five minutes after halftime. Enrico Baldini, kept quiet all game, found a good angle for a low cross. Alessio Vita, who was on a brace, couldn’t make clean contact on a partially open net.
As the game stayed at 1-0, Ternana pushed hard for an equalizer. Wave after wave of pressure was a moment of worry for Gorini.
“I am partially satisfied, in the last twenty minutes we risked losing 2-1.” Explained Gorini to Trivenetogoal. “On the other hand, we could have scored the second goal and in that case we would have been able to contain better the return of Ternana which put us in difficulty.”
The game was starting to shift towards Ternana, and the momentum was piling on Cittadella. Their resistance broke with 20 minutes remaining. A strong header from Anthony Partipilo left Kastrati hopeless, leveling the score at 1-1.
The Albanian goalkeeper came calling into action throughout the second half. Ternana had chances in a good spell of 20 minutes after the goal. Kastrati prevented a point blank goal in the 77th minute, holding onto a solid point.
Missed chances came for an unlucky Ternana side, who on their day would’ve won the match. On the other hand, Cittadella had chances themselves to snatch three points in Umbria.
A draw settled the two teams at the end of a back and forth affair. Just the second draw of the season as we reach the 1/3 point. This draw that feels like a valid result, but there were moments where Cittadella easily could’ve taken all three points.
The absence of Orji Okwonkwo had its effect today. The hold up play and speed up top was not at the level in the past. Gorini feels this squad is adapting and improving as this season continues into November and beyond.
“We are finding more balance than at the beginning and it’s no coincidence that the results are coming.” Gorini continued post match. “We are working on that, today we believed in victory and we did everything to get it.”
A solid point on the road despite the missed chances. Cittadella return to central Italy next weekend to take on Perugia, another newly promoted side.