Cittadella overcame Triestina 3-2 at the Stadio Nereo Rocco in a match decided by the visitors' superior finishing and a remarkable sequence of three goals in the final minutes. The Lemeister model had rated Cittadella as favourites with a 44 per cent win probability and projected a 2-0 away victory, but the actual contest was far closer, with Triestina twice fighting back to level the scores before a decisive late strike.
The scoring began in the 13th minute when D. Falcinelli put Cittadella ahead. Triestina responded with patience, and their equaliser arrived in the 61st minute through A. Faggioli. The parity lasted only eight minutes before E. Anastasia restored Cittadella's lead in the 69th minute. Triestina once more showed resilience, with E. Vertainen scoring in the 90th minute to level the contest at 2-2. However, in the same minute, S. Rabbi struck for Cittadella to snatch all three points in a remarkable closing sequence.
The five goals were all normal efforts, with no penalties or own goals influencing the outcome. This suggests that both sides were able to create and finish chances from open play, though Cittadella's ability to do so on three separate occasions proved decisive. The timing of the goals is notable: two came in the final moments of normal time, indicating that the visitors maintained their composure under pressure while Triestina's defence faltered at the critical juncture.
The physical nature of the contest was reflected in the five yellow cards. M. Angeli was booked for Cittadella in the 35th minute, followed by Triestina's S. Ascione in the 41st. S. Kosijer received a yellow for the home side in the 52nd minute, while A. Ghezzi was cautioned for Cittadella in the 84th. G. Begheldo completed the list with a booking in the 93rd minute. No player received a second yellow or a red card, meaning both sides finished with full complements, though the accumulation of cards may have influenced the intensity of the closing stages.
The substitutions, four for Triestina and five for Cittadella, suggest the visitors used their bench more extensively to manage the game's tempo. Without specific statistical data on possession, shots or expected goals, it is impossible to determine which side dominated the balance of play, but the final scoreline indicates that Cittadella were the more efficient side in front of goal.
The standout performers were the goal scorers. D. Falcinelli opened the scoring and set the tone for the visitors, while E. Anastasia restored their advantage in the second half. S. Rabbi's 90th-minute strike was the match-winner and demonstrated composure in a high-pressure moment. For Triestina, A. Faggioli and E. Vertainen each found the net, with Vertainen's equaliser raising hopes of a point before Rabbi's decisive intervention.
For Triestina, this result represents a missed opportunity to claim a point from a spirited fightback. They now sit with dropped points at home, and their inability to hold a lead after equalising twice will be a concern. Cittadella, on the other hand, have secured a valuable away victory in a highly competitive Girone A, maintaining their push for a higher position in the standings. The Lemeister model's pre-match projection of a 2-0 away win underestimated the home side's ability to score twice, but it correctly identified Cittadella as the likely winner. The visitors will take confidence from this result as they continue their campaign.
