Cittadella vs Cesena: Dal Canto awaits a ‘different’ match against Mignani’s Cesena

MATCH: Cittadella vs Cesena | Serie BKT Matchday 13

DATE: Nov. 10, 2024 | 15:00 CET (9:00am EST)

VENUE: Stadio Piercesare Tombolato | Cittadella

Cittadella head coach Alessandro Dal Canto expects a different kind game against Cesena compared to the Granata‘s previous two matches last week.

“Cesena is doing well, their coach is a guy I know well as a friend and I know how he plays,” Dal Canto said in his prematch press conference. “It will be a different match than the ones we have faced. Cesena plays with more technical means compared to the physicality of Palermo and Sampdoria.”

Dal Canto’s men will be looking to get their first home win since January as Cittadella hosts Cesena on Sunday afternoon at the Stadio Piercesare Tombolato. The Granata sit in 19th place entering the 13th Matchday in Serie B, while Cesena occupies fourth in the league standings after a 5-3-4 start.

A win against the newly-promoted side will lift Cittadella out of the relegation zone as the league comes to a pause for the November international break.

“Even if we win tomorrow, the problems aren’t solved,” Dal Canto said. “The standings are still tight, there’s still a lot of teams in delicate positions. Like I said, I don’t see many games where there are certainties. I see a team that has to continue its verse and continue getting results.”

Sunday will be the first meeting between the two clubs in more than six years. Cittadella did the double over Cesena in the 2017/18 season, which included a 4-0 win at the Tombolato over the Cavallucci.

Cittadella striker Luca Pandolfi scored his first goal since April last weekend in a shock win against Palermo. The three points were the Granata‘s first in seven games, and also gave the 26-year-old striker much needed confidence after a slow start to the season.

“Every player has their own nature,” Dal Canto said about the striker. “Pandolfi must do whatever is sufficient for him in the non-possession phase. I have great trust in him as I believe he’s an important player for us. If he played like he did in Palermo, it can become a base for him.”

Cesena enters the weekend tied for the worst road record in Serie B, having collected two points away from home. Michele Mignani’s side boasts one of the strongest attacks in the league, scoring 20 goals in 12 games. Striker Cristian Shpendi leads the league with seven goals to his name.

Despite recent positive results, Cittadella’s last home victory came 301 days ago. Dal Canto’s side will be looking to get that burden off their backs and snap a 13 home match winless streak.

“It’s normal to have pressure like this,” Dal Canto said. “I think in this moment the team’s mental aspect is balanced. I don’t think this aspect will affect the game.”

PHOTO: Massimo Felicetti / A.S. Cittadella