Cittadella faced Reggiana at the Tombolato stadium on December 26, 2023, and emerged victorious with a solid 3-1 win, marking their first home victory of the season after 343 days.
The match was pivotal for both teams, with Cittadella needing points to bolster their Serie B campaign and lift themselves out of the relegation zone. The victory, characterized by goals from Luca Pandolfi, Marco Tronchin, and Daniel Rabbi, provided much-needed relief for the Cittadella fans. On the other hand, Reggiana, who has been struggling this season, saw only a late consolation goal from Gondo.
This encounter started slowly, with both teams initially defensive. The first key moment came at 28 minutes, with Pandolfi nearly opening the scoring with a shot just missing the top corner. Reggiana's goalkeeper, Bardi, had to make several saves throughout the match, particularly during the first half, effectively keeping his team from falling behind.
It wasn't until the 62nd minute when Cittadella truly took control of the game. Pandolfi struck beautifully with a volley following Salvi's assist, sending the home crowd wild. Cittadella then doubled their lead at the 78-minute mark with Tronchin's precise shot from inside the box, which took advantage of Reggiana's defensive lapses.
Although Gondo managed to reduce the deficit with his goal at the 84th minute, it did little to change the outcome. Cittadella quickly responded with another goal, Rabbi securing the win well deep in injury time, capping the game at 3-1. The Cittadella supporters celebrated their team’s performance, applauding their revival from the bottom of the table.
This win was particularly significant for Cittadella coach Dal Canto, representing hope for future matches. With the emphasis on teamwork and strategy seen during the match, fans are optimistic about climbing the Serie B standings, especially after the close competition evident just below mid-table.
Despite the defeat, Reggiana now faces serious challenges as they look to avoid relegation, having only 18 points from their matches this season, putting them perilously close to the bottom of the league. Their manager, Viali, will likely face scrutiny after this performance, and major changes may be necessary if Reggiana is to turn their fortunes around.
This match could be seen as not only pivotal for Cittadella but also as indicative of the struggles facing Reggiana this season, as they have now collected only 11 points from their last 15 games.
With the Serie B season continuing to progress, both teams will need to reevaluate their strategies going forward. Cittadella’s recent performance may instill hope, but for Reggiana, the time is now to regroup and prepare for the potential shake-ups needed to improve their standings.
