Cittadella implodes in second half collapse against Sudtirol

As the 60th minute approached in Sunday night’s game, Sudtirol tallied zero attempts on target against Cittadella with the score remaining goalless.

But in less than 20 minutes, the Granata conceded as many goals as they did in the month of February, imploding in the second half as Sudtirol netted five goals.

“It’s difficult to comment on this loss,” Cittadella head coach Alessandro Dal Canto said after the game. “We showed fear of playing. When you concede three goals in three minutes, everything becomes difficult.”

Cittadella suffered its joint-heaviest home defeat in club history as the Granata implode in the second half, falling to Sudtirol 1-5 in Sunday night’s relegation six-pointer.

Both teams entered the match separated by three points. Cittadella knew a win would put Dal Canto’s men six points clear of the relegation play-out zone and would obtain the head-to-head tiebreaker over their relegation rivals.

Federico Casolari had the best chance of the first half in the fifth minute after sliding inside the box and firing a shot at Sudtirol goalkeeper Marius Adamonis. His save fell to the feet of Alessio Vita, but the midfielder’s follow-up effort was blocked.

By halftime, Cittadella held Sudtirol to without a shot on target and out possessed the visitors 62-38.

Thirteen minutes after halftime, however, the floodgates opened.

It started with Antonio Barreca’s volley from the edge of the box to fire Sudtirol into the lead. Seconds after the kickoff, Albanian striker Silvio Merkaj’s lobbing cross sailed into the far corner, before Daniele Casiraghi completed the three minute blitz by nodding in a cross from Salvatore Molina.

Sudtirol netted two more goals after the 70th minute, first from Andrea Giorgini who finished his effort into the roof of the net. The substitute completed his brace five minutes later with a header.

Jacopo Desogus collected a consolation and his first Serie B goal seconds before the final whistle on a breakaway.

“I repeat: the ‘salvezza’ cannot not pass through home. It’s impossible,” Dal Canto said. “What matters to me is finding a solution to give serenity to the players.”

Despite the loss – the fourth time Cittadella has conceded three or more goals this season – the Granata remain two points outside the relegation play-out zone. Dal Canto’s side will face league leaders Sassuolo at home next Saturday before the international break.

PHOTO: A.S. Cittadella / Facebook