Modena solidified its playoff ambitions with a convincing 2-0 victory over Cittadella at the Tombolato Stadium on February 22, 2024. The match was pivotal for both teams, with Cittadella battling to steer clear of relegation risks, and Modena aiming to climb the ranks.
The game kicked off with Modena demonstrating its intent early on. The first real chance came just seven minutes in when Giuseppe Caso broke through on the left side during a counter-attack. He delivered a dangerous cross aimed at Gregoire Defrel, who narrowly missed connecting. Modena's pressing was evident as they pushed for the opener.
At the 13-minute mark, excitement erupted when Modena thought they had scored. Cristian Cauz netted from close range after a corner, but VAR overturned the goal due to offside, marking the first of several disallowed goals for the visitors. This setback did not deter Modena, who continued to threaten Cittadella's defense.
Ten minutes later, Caso had another opportunity, but once again, the joy was short-lived as his goal was chalked off due to offside. The visitors maintained their composure, and persistence paid off when Caso finally found the net at the 27th minute. Assisted by Gerli with a precise long ball, Caso dribbled around Cittadella's goalkeeper Maniero and slotted the ball home, giving Modena the deserved lead.
Despite being down, Cittadella sought to regain control. They came close on various occasions, yet Modena's defensive unit, led by goalkeeper Gagno, remained resolute. Modena's chances continued, with the first half closing at 1-0.
The second half began with Cittadella appearing more assertive, eager to equalize. A notable moment came at the 52-minute mark when Luca Pandolfi found the back of the net for Cittadella. The goal, though, was scrubbed off after the referee deemed Okwonkwo's presence offside during the buildup.
Modena remained focused and almost doubled their lead when they saw yet another goal disallowed at the 75th minute for offside. Caso, again on target, had the ball hit the back of the net after receiving a perfect pass from Gliozzi. It seemed like fate was playing tricks on the forward who had already scored once.
Finally, with time winding down, Modena sealed the victory with their second goal. Just minutes after coming onto the field, Pedro Mendes turned the tide completely, scoring at the 86-minute mark. Following another swift counterattack, he capitalized on Gliozzi's setup, powering the ball past Maniero with precision.
Despite key players being benched—most noticeably Antonio Palumbo due to suspension—Modena's strategy to counter effectively and keep composure amid the disallowed goals proved successful.
With this victory, Modena momentarily caught up with Cesena, who were also tracking the playoff places, leaving them only five points above the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Cittadella faced increasing scrutiny, suffering their third home loss, deepening their relegation fears.
The game highlighted Modena's resilience and ability to adapt under pressure, as they not only secured three points but also exhibited strategic depth, countering effectively throughout the match.
Looking forward, Cittadella needs to regroup quickly as they prepare to face Juve Stabia next, knowing the urgency to secure points. Modena, on the other hand, will aim to continue their momentum as they look forward to hosting Cosenza, focusing on building their lead to solidify their playoff ambitions.