Catania vs The Floating Donkeys

By: Mostafa | February 15th, 2009

Fact is fact guys we need a win, and sooner or later were gonna get that win, and this would be a good way to start winning (before the unbeatable games come along again).
The team that survived Relegation last year will be playing a team that is figting to survive it this year. It’s a vital match to say the least. we are in a VERY bad position right now.

For the record
Bologna 23
Lecce 22
Torino 20
Chievo 19
Reggina 16

A few words:
Di carlo on Torino’s draw:

“It’s a draw which is especially worthy for the league position,” commented the former Parma coach on Tuttomercatoweb.com

“I see the glass half full because we reacted, but we should and could have been more deadly. We went to Turin to do our game and obtain the three points, and we found a nice and determined Torino side.

“I’m happy because we had a reaction of great character. We could have even scored before Torino took the lead.”

Di carlo on this match:

“We were good to recover the game,” declared Di Carlo. “It’s the third consecutive game we do so.

“We also had important players out, like [Davide] Mandelli and [Antonio] Langella, but those who played did their best.

“Now we must try to win the next game against Catania, to close down on a direct competitor and lower down the survival quote, which in my opinion is around 39 or 40 points.”

Italiano on Chiveo’s Preformances:

“I’m happy for myself and the team,” commented the Flying Donkey. “Our positive run continues as this was the sixth consecutive positive result.”

Italiano went on to discuss last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Torino.

“In the second half we had the possibility to open the score and take the lead, but then we recovered and it’s fine this way,” he said.

“Obviously, when [Alessandro] Rosina came out, we were facilitated, as we managed to hold more the ball and create various situations.”

Here is the Goal.com preview

Kick-off: Sunday, February 15, 15:00 (CET). Marc’Antonio Bentegodi Stadium, Verona.

Chievo host Catania in matchday 24 as both teams seek survival points in order to avoid the drop to Serie B.

Despite the seven point gap between the two sides in favour of Catania, it is Chievo who are currently enjoying the better football, in terms of both performances and results.

The Gialloblu have not lost a game since the turn of the year, obtaining two wins and fours draws which have allowed them to move away from the bottom position and within three points of survival.

For the Rossazzurri, 2009 has been a nightmare: the Sicilian side had ended the previous year on a high with a 3-2 win over Roma, but since the new year kicked in they have only obtained one point in six games.

They were perhaps unlucky to lose 2-1 to Juventus on their last outing, but coach Walter Zenga seems to have lost the magic touch which had led the team to the top ten early on in the season.

This seems a common trait for Catania, as every season they start extremely well and then start sliding down the standings towards the relegation zone in the second part of the campaign.

Their seven point lead over the bottom three could therefore be cut down this weekend if they suffer a defeat here, but a win would give a much-needed morale boost as well as put space between them and the second tier.

Past Encounters

There have been very few encounters between these two sides in recent history, with the only one at the Bentegodi stadium. It occurred in 2007, with the home team winning 2-1 in a season which ultimately saw them relegated back to Serie B.

The other two games in recent history were played in Sicily and again it was the home team who won in both instances.

FORM GUIDE

Chievo

Feb 08 Torino 1-1 Chievo (SERIE A)
Feb 01 Chievo 1-1 Sampdoria (SERIE A)
Jan 28 Chievo 1-1 Lecce (SERIE A)
Jan 25 Reggina 0-1 Chievo (SERIE A)
Jan 18 Chievo 2-1 Napoli (SERIE A)

Catania

Feb 08 Catania 1-2 Bologna (SERIE A)
Feb 01 Atalanta 1-0 Catania (SERIE A)
Jan 28 Catania 0-2 Inter (SERIE A)
Jan 25 Genoa 1-1 Catania (SERIE A)
Jan 18 Catania 1-2 Bologna (SERIE A)

TEAM NEWS

Chievo

No player is suspended, but the Gialloblu will be without the injured Bogdani, whereas Esposito, Pellissier, Moro and Rigon are all carrying a yellow card into this game.

Probable Formation (4-3-1-2): Sorrentino, Frey, Morero, Yepes, Mantovani, Luciano, Rigoni, Marcolini, Pinzi, Makinwa, Pellissier

Catania

Ledesma and Capuano are ruled out due to injuries, but no player is suspended for the Rossazzurri. However, Bizzarri, Paolucci, Martinez and Mascara must all be careful not to be show a yellow card in order to play in the next game.

Probable Formation (4-3-3): Bizzarri, Potenza, Silvestre, Stovini, Tedesco, Izco, Biagianti, Baiocco, Morimoto, Paolucci, Mascara

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chievo

Will be interesting to see how Stephen Makinwa performs for Chievo following his disappointing Lazio experience. His promising career has gone downhill in recent seasons after busting onto the Serie A scene with Atalanta in 2005.

Catania

Takayuki Morimoto is definitely a player to follow, with his main defect being inconsistency. He is still young and therefore can improve further, but he needs to prove more often what his worth is, starting from this game.

PREDICTION
Chievo’s home advantage, form and desperate need for points make it almost a sure win for them in this encounter. It will be very difficult for Catania to obtain any points.

Chievo 2-0 Catania

Glenn Debattista