Serie B returns to the field and does so with Boxing Day, the ten matches of the 19th round will all be played today, Thursday 26 December 2024.
At the Druso stadium in Bolzano they will face each other at 3:00 pm Südtirol and Cittadella. The hosts, led from the 17th matchday by Fabrizio Castori on the bench, after the dismissal of Marco Zaffaroni, they reacted positively to the third coaching change of the season, which began with Federico Valente. Since Castori’s arrival, Südtirol first drew 2-2 with Mantova and then defeated San Nicola in the last round, beating Bari 0-1 thanks to the substitute’s goal El Kaouakibi. With the four points gained in two games, the red and whites are back in the race for salvation, an objective that is also of particular interest to those who will challenge them in this match. Alessandro Dal Canto’s Cittadella is experiencing a situation similar to that of the hosts: a change of bench also for the granata, who sacked Edoardo Gorini after the 8th matchday of the championship, find themselves in the hot zones of the standings and come from a win in the last round. At the Tombolato the goals of Pandolfi, Tronchin and Rabbi knocked out Reggiana and provided fundamental points to the team led by Dal Canto.
The two teams also met in Serie B last season: in the first leg it was Cittadella who triumphed at the Tombolato 2-1 thanks to goals scored by Pittarello and Pandolfi, while the goal for the red and whites was instead scored by Casiraghi. Upon returning to the Druso stadium the match ended in a goalless draw.
The refereeing of this match was entrusted to Daniele Chiffiof the Padua section. His assistants will be Vigile and Ricciardi, the fourth man Maccorin. The Camplone-Paganessi pair is ready for the VAR.
HOW SÜDTIROL ARRIVES – There is news from the transfer market, the signing of the free agent Eugenio Lamanna, called up for this match, is official. However, Castori loses Vimercati, who ended his season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and Giorgini due to disqualification. The coach should continue with a 3-5-2 solution so far: Poluzzi in goal, defensive trio made up of Pietrangeli, Ceppitelli and Kofler. Zedadka and Salvatore Molina are ready on the two flanks, while in midfield Arrigoni, Casiraghi and Praszelik are still ahead. Up front, confirmations in sight for Odogwu and Merkaj.
HOW THE CITADEL ARRIVES – – Dal Canto should instead confirm a large part of the 11 lined up in the victory against Reggiana: Kastrati between the posts, Carissoni, Piccinini and Salvi the three shirts in defence. In midfield Masciangelo is ready on the left lane and D’Alessio on the right, midfield made up of Casolari, Tronchin and Branca. Forward Vita should act in support of Pandolfi.