In addition to Cittadini's effort, Leonardo Ghiraldini and a penalty try awarded just after the hour were enough to see the Azzurri to their third straight win.
But with New Zealand and Australia next up the former Calvisano front row admits they need to up their game.
Tongan prop Alisona Taumalolo and wing Fetu'u Vainikolo pounced on poor Italian defending to set nerves jangling and while his man-of-the-match award was reason to cheer, Cittadini was still urging caution.
"I'm happy - because above all we won, despite having committed a lot of errors, which we will work on in the week," he said.
"We know that we have to do better next week, however I couldn't have hoped for better than this [man-of-the-match award]."
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