Catania Closing In On Survival
Following some up and down form over the course of the season, Walter Zenga’s side currently find themselves just a couple of victories away from almost certain survival. After making his objectives clear from the start of the campaign the Elefanti coach will want nothing more than see out the achievement with a couple of rounds to spare. Catania have shown huge potential this term and with Serie A safety in the bag, the club will have added time to build for next season.
After the draw away to Udinese last weekend Catania will have felt they missed an opportunity after going ahead only to concede in the final quarter of the game. With a number of players such as Takayuki Morimoto and Giuseppe Mascara enjoying fine form of late, the Rossazzurri have returned to their free-flowing football, which saw them begin the campaign in such fine fashion.
With island rivals Palermo just eight points ahead in the standings, Catania will be aware that a flurry of good form could well see them occupying a similar position; come the end of the season. Should Zenga’s men take another important scalp in the form of Lazio, it could well give them the momentum they need to push them back into the top ten. Such a finish would signal a remarkable campaign, for a club that have never finished higher than eighth in the top flight.
Two Steps Forward One Step Back
After an impressive return of form following four wins on the trot, the mood has dampened somewhat in the Lazio camp after last week’s blackout at home to Chievo. With the opportunity to make another step forward towards the lucrative fourth spot, the Biancocelesti quite literally froze, and were instead handed a heavy lesson from a Chievo side who showed far more spirit and determination on the day.
It is not the first time that such a display has bemused the Aquilotti faithful this season, and previous setbacks against Milan and Roma had also cost Lazio dearly in making a jump in the standings. Many such as former Lazio coach Eugenio Fascetti have placed the phenomenon down to a lack of mental strength, which causes the side to slip up unexpectedly during a period of good form. Following the passive performance from the whole side against Chievo it was quite clear that coach Delio Rossi could do little to avoid the shock defeat.
In light of Lazio’s tendency this season to slip into a trend of positive or negative form, Rossi will be eager to get his men to bounce back immediately, starting with the trip south to Sicily. Given his side’s superior form on the road this season, the Lazio tactician will be confident that he can mastermind a positive result that would see the Biancocelesti remain in the hunt for a UEFA cup place. With only ten rounds left to play, the Aquilotti cannot afford any more blackouts, if they want to sign off the season as a success.
FORM GUIDE
Catania
15 March: Udinese 1-1 Catania
8 March: Catania 0-3 Siena
1 March: Palermo 0-4 Catania
22 February: Catania 2-1 Reggina
15 February: Chievo 1-1 Catania
Lazio
15 March: Lazio 0-3 Chievo
8 March: Napoli 0-2 Lazio
3 March: Lazio 2-1 Juventus (Coppa Italia)
28 February: Lazio 2-0 Bologna
22 February: Lecce 0-2 Lazio
TEAM NEWS
Catania
Walter Zenga still has a few selection problems as he confirms the starting XI that played in last weekend’s draw away to Udinese. Davide Baiocco, Morimoto and Ezequiel Carboni are all still out due to injury. Jorge Martinez partners Mascara in the forward line.
Probable Starting XI (4-4-2-): Bizzarri; Capuano, Stovini, Silvestre, Potenza; Tedesco, Biagianti, Ledesma, Izco; Mascara, Martinez
Lazio
Rossi looks set to confirm the backbone used in last weekend’s defeat with Chievo. Fernando Muslera and Francelino Matuzlem are still both in doubt however, as the pair both recover from knocks. Muslera's absence could pave the way for a possible return of Juan Pablo Carrizo between the sticks. Alexander Kolarov is suspended following his red card last weekend, whilst Ousmane Dabo is sidelined through injury.
Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Muslera, De Silvestri, Cribari, Siviglia, Lichtsteiner; Brocchi, Ledesma, Matuzalem, Foggia; Pandev, Zarate
PLAYERS TO WATCH
After scoring another gem last weekend against Udinese, all eyes will be on Giuseppe Mascara as he starts to gain a reputation for his long distance shooting. The Sicilian forward has been a revelation this term, and with nine goals to his name and some of the bigger clubs are starting to take note. With Mascara’s ability to score from a sniper’s range, Muslera will surely be wary not to venture too far off his line.
Pasquale Foggia has proved himself as an integral part of the Lazio side with a string of hearty performances over the past month. So much so, that he is set to earn a return to the Azzurri setup in the forthcoming qualifiers at the end of March. The Neapolitan native has found much joy in his new wide position and with Marcello Lippi monitoring his progress he will surely give his all against the Elefanti.
PREDICTION
With some fluctuating performances in recent weeks, it is hard to predict which Catania side will show up on the day. If Zenga’s side can get their noses in front first, they have every chance of overcoming a Lazio side which are starting to display earlier signs of weakness at the back.
Given Lazio’s impressive form on the road this season however, I feel Delio Rossi’s men will have what it takes to just edge the home side and take the spoils back to Rome.
Catania 1-2 Lazio
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