It was around a year ago when Catania had a record breaking season in Serie A. Their 56 points, 15 wins and 12 home victories were the club’s best ever totals in each respective category. Twelve months after their 8th place finish, the Rossazzurri slipped to 18th and were relegated to Serie B for 2014/15.
From the beginning of last summer to now, one problem rolled down a hypothetical snowy hill and became a huge snowball of issues. Francesco Lodi and Alejandro Gomez departed the club, president Antonino Pulvirenti failed to properly replace them, meaning Catania struggled on the pitch.
Due to a lack of quality in depth thanks to dry finances, the squad was an average-at-best Serie A side. However, the Elefanti failed to win any of their first five matches, losing four of them in the process. The poor form continued, injuries piled up and Rolando Maran was sacked just eight games into the campaign. The once minuscule snowball was beginning to form into a menacing avalanche.
Luigi De Canio was his replacement, but without the likes of Gonzalo Bergessio and Nicolas Spolli at full health, the tactician wasn’t able to put a stamp on the team. Maran’s Catania had won once, drawn twice and lost five times before he was booted. De Canio didn’t fare much better in 11 games, his side recorded just two victories and seven defeats.
By that time, Lodi had returned which had formed a mini-resurgence, but due to limitations on coaching more than one team per year, Maran was able to redeem himself as he returned to potentially calm the onrushing avalanche.
Only one win arrived until the Italian was given his walking papers for a second time on April 7th. Maurizio Pellegrino was promoted to the first team from the youth academy and was able to guide Catania through their best run of form since 2012/13. The Etnei won four of their last five games, including a massive 4-1 victory over Roma, but it wasn’t enough as Sassuolo’s late resurgence doomed the Sicilians to relegation.
Complacency was the club’s downfall, much like it affected their rivals Palermo the year before. Pulvirenti now has stadium plans with his team participating in Serie B. He was clearly too busy preparing the new ground as opposed to guaranteeing that his side stayed in the top flight.
Player of the Season
Arguably the only bright spot was one of Catania’s pillars in Pablo Barrientos. The 29-year-old suffered a knock or two, but he made an impact in the 28 games he appeared in. The Argentinean provided five goals and four assists, both ranked second and first among the squad respectively.
Barrientos’ versatility of playing on either flank or in behind Bergessio made him a hard player to contain. His technique allowed him to brush by defenders and his speed was unmatched.
The only negative was the disciplinary record. Barrientos was booked 10 times, which was a team high. Bergessio racked up the second highest amount of yellow cards amongst the attackers. Sebastian Leto was third on that list with just three.
Like most key players, they have their negatives, but their performances make up for it. All of Barrientos’ qualities make him the player of the season.
Goal of the Season
The best goal of the season both in terms of quality and the impact was Mariano Izco’s goal against Lazio. It was scored seconds after kickoff, with Catania winning it 3-1. It was the fourth game in a row they’d gone without losing, but that ended the weekend after.
Lucas Castro received the ball and sent in a cross that appeared as if it was mindlessly hit into the box. Then Izco popped up out of nowhere and smashed a half-volley off of the side of his right foot into the right side of the goal.
Considering most of Catania’s goals have been scrappy and lucky, it was a brilliantly worked strike that’s worth of the Goal of the Year honours.
Best and Worst Signings
Gino Peruzzi began the campaign injured, but was a hot commodity during the summer, with plenty of suitors interested in the former Velez Sarsfield right back. Eventually Catania signed him and once he made his debut, became a rock on the right side of defence.
Due to the relegation, Peruzzi is linked with a move away from Sicily. Inter and AC Milan are reportedly interested in the Argentinean defender. A €6.5 million fee is what Catania are apparently interested in getting.
Regardless of his future, Peruzzi was the most expensive signing and lived up to it. Even with three different coaches at the helm, he was consistently performing well.
The worst signing is a lot more difficult to pick out, but Sebastian Leto gets that honour. He was brought in on a free transfer, but had a history of knee problems. The gamble didn’t pay off and he was put in a tough spot as the Gomez replacement. Leto’s injuries continued and he never got on track.
Instead of spending time on average foreign players, Catania may be wise to invest in youth. It may take them a while to get back to Serie A, but it’ll benefit them in the long run.
