Cittadella edged past Lecco 2-1 on Sunday afternoon in a Serie C, Group A clash marred by contentious officiating, leaving the visitors frustrated and questioning several key decisions by referee Giuseppe Rispoli of Locri. The defeat tightens the race for promotion, with Cittadella now breathing down Lecco’s neck in the standings.
The match at the Tombolato stadium saw Metlika open the scoring for Lecco in the 11th minute, but Cittadella responded through Rabbi in the 7th minute of the second half. The decisive goal came in the 38th minute, a penalty converted by Castelli, a moment that sparked significant debate.
Controversial Calls Dominate the Narrative
The central talking point of the match revolved around a disallowed goal for Lecco’s Zanellato in the 30th minute. A header from Parker appeared to cross the line, but Rispoli, without the aid of goal-line technology, ruled it out, citing an offside position. Reports suggest Angeli, a Cittadella defender, may have been playing Zanellato onside, but the decision stood.
Further controversy erupted in the 35th minute when Rispoli awarded a penalty to Cittadella for a handball. The incident appeared to occur just outside the penalty area, but the referee’s judgment favored the home side. Castelli calmly slotted home the spot-kick, leveling the score.
The afternoon took a further turn for Lecco in the 42nd minute. A penalty was awarded to Lecco for a clear handball by Castelli. However, after consulting with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Rispoli overturned the decision, citing a foul by Parker in the build-up to the play. To compound matters, Parker was shown a second yellow card for the perceived foul, resulting in his ejection from the match.
Match Details
Goals: 11’ Metlika (Lecco), 7’ Rabbi (Cittadella), 38’ Castelli (Cittadella) – penalty
Cittadella (3-5-2): Maniero; D’Alessio (41’ Gatti), Redolfi, Angeli; Ghezzi (41’ Salvi), Amatucci, Barberis (26’ Anastasia), Anastasia (26’ Vita), Crialese; Rabbi, Falcinelli (30’ Castelli). Substitutes: Saro, Lotto, Perretta, Rizza, Zilio, Gobbato, Ihnatov, Bunino. Manager: Manuel Iori.
Lecco (3-4-2-1): Furlan; Battistini, Marrone (5’ Ferrini), Romani; Urso (20’ Voltan), Zanellato (40’ Mallamo), Metlika, Kritta; Duca (40’ Furrer), Konaté; Sipos (20’ Parker). Substitutes: Dalmasso, Constant, Bonaiti, Pellegrino, Ndongue, Mihali, Anastasini. Manager: Federico Valente.
Referee: Giuseppe Rispoli (Locri)
Attendance: Approximately 2,500 (1,400 season ticket holders, 400 Lecco supporters)
Discipline: Duca, Parker, Crialese, Romani (yellow cards); Parker (red card – two yellow cards).
A Frustrating Afternoon for Lecco
Despite the controversial decisions, Lecco came close to finding an equalizer. Parker struck the woodwork twice while the score remained 1-1, highlighting their attacking intent. However, the sending-off of Parker undeniably shifted the momentum in Cittadella’s favor.
Adding to Lecco’s woes, Marrone was forced off with an injury late in the game, further disrupting their defensive shape. The team’s resilience was tested, but they ultimately couldn’t overcome the combined challenges of a strong opponent and questionable officiating.
The result sees Cittadella close the gap on Lecco to just one point in the Serie C Group A standings. Both teams now have 56 points, with Renate also on 56 points, setting up a tense finish to the season. Lecco’s two remaining matches against Cittadella will now carry even greater significance.
Lecco’s recent record at the Tombolato stadium is particularly concerning for their supporters. They haven’t secured a victory at the venue since 1997, a statistic that adds to the sense of frustration surrounding this latest defeat.
Looking Ahead
Lecco will aim to bounce back from this setback when they host Vicenza on Friday. A positive result will be crucial to regaining momentum and maintaining their promotion push. The team will need to regroup and focus on delivering a strong performance against a challenging opponent.
The upcoming match against Vicenza presents an opportunity for Lecco to demonstrate their character and resilience. With the Serie C season reaching its climax, every point will be vital in the race for promotion.
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