Strong Individual Performances Power Catania to Second Place

So, how many games does it take for a fluke to become a trend? Catania have been piling up results in the first 2 months of the season against non-trivial opposition, yet it is not clear when we are supposed to take them seriously as a contender for the top half of the Serie A table. Following today’s 2-0 derby win over Palermo, they sit with 14 points from 7 games, good enough to move them into a tie for second place with Udinese and Napoli, just 2 behind the leaders, Inter.

Catania began on their heels, letting Palermo have several good chances on goal, and forcing some good play by Bizzarri. But, after Carrozzieri was ejected for his second bad foul of the first half, the Rossoblu began to build momentum into the second half. If the game had ended after 45 minutes, however, we would have said that Palermo were unlucky not to win.

An hour into the game, Catania took control, culminating in the game’s first goal in the 68th minute. It was the River Plate connection, with Uruguayan international Cristian Llama crossing to the Argentine Martinez, who buried a header past Amelia. Mascara converted a handball penalty three minutes from time to seal the victory.

Catania’s win was highlighted by very strong individual performances by what is becoming the core of this team. Mariano Izco played a dominant midfield alongside goal scorer and all-around playmaker Martinez, and Bizzarri had yet another routinely brilliant game in goal, which kept Catania in the game long enough to get their legs underneath them. Finally, Morimoto is progressing nicely as the team’s striker, causing problems with his speed and keeping the Palermo defence off-balance.

Its worth noting that Nicolae Dică once again saw no playing time, and with the way Martinez and Izco are playing, is not likely to do so soon. His time in Sicily may be unexpectedly short.

	Serie A Match Schedule			Discount Travel to Catania
	Catania Results			Stadio Angelo Massimino information & hotels

Category: Catania Team News

Tags: Bizzarri, Catania Team News, Izco, Martinez, Palermo, Results

Subscribe   The Offside RSS Feeds

Print

Share