Cittadella vs Sampdoria: Citta in need of points against Samp

MATCH: Cittadella vs Sampdoria | Serie BKT Matchday 11

DATE: Oct. 30, 2024 | 20:30 local (3:45pm EST)

VENUE: Stadio Piercesare Tombolato

Cittadella hosts Sampdoria in a midweek clash at the Stadio Piercesare Tombolato as the Granata look for their first home win since January.

A 3-0 loss against Carrarese last Saturday put the team in the relegation zone after 10 games in Serie B. Alessandro Dal Canto is looking for his first win as head coach of Cittadella following a 0-1-1 start.

“It’s useless to dwell on the past,” Dal Canto said in his prematch press conference, reflecting on the defeat in Carrara. “Football always gives second chances. We can’t go into the game crying and I want us to roll up our sleeves to face the challenge in the best possible way.”

Cittadella is in desperate need of points, having lost five of the club’s last six games by a combined score of 12-2. Dal Canto’s men are enduring on their second-worst point tally after 10 games in Serie B, having collected eight points after ten matches.

Sampdoria striker Massimo Coda has been a thorn in Cittadella’s side in recent years. The striker from Campania has scored 10 goals against Cittadella in his career, tied for his most against a single club alongside Reggiana. Coda’s attacking partner, Gennaro Tutino, provided three goals and four assists for the Blucerchiati this season.

“Coda and Tutino are a bit like scarecrows for everyone,” Dal Canto said. “We have to work as a team to stop them. If we go all out, we will only cause chaos. Now more than ever we need to find solidity.”

The Granata have recorded one win against Sampdoria in club history, coming last season in a 1-2 victory in Genova. The Ligurian side returned the favor in the reverse fixture, winning 1-2 at the Tombolato on Jan. 28. Cittadella is still yet to win a home game since that date.

With the club sitting 19th in the league going into Wednesday’s match, Dal Canto wants to see no fear from his players and a response to Saturday’s defeat.

“I don’t want a team that waits for the punch, otherwise we’ll definitely take it,” Dal Canto said. “I want a team that knows how to respond to blows, like always with our characteristics. It will be a very important match, but we must not live with fear.”

PHOTO: Massimo Felicetti / A.S. Cittadella