When Vicenza were relegated following the 2000–01 Serie A, Cardone moved to newly promoted Serie A club Piacenza, as Piacenza acquired the other half of the registration rights from Parma, for 2,200 million lire (€1,136,205). Piacenza also acquired 50% registration rights of Matteo Guardalben from Parma, for 3,000 million lire (€1,549,370), as well as Nicola Mora and Matuzalém.