Catania steamrolled Pro Vercelli 4-0 Friday night to kick off Serie B’s week 23 at the Stadio Angelo Massimino.
Emanuele Calaio scored an early first half brace and Alessandro Rosina hit an artfully curled free kick before Riccardo Maniero’s first goal for Catania insured a long trip back north for the visiting Bianche Cassache. 
Catania coach Dario Marcolin, the third man in charge of the Sicilian club this season, selected a side with 10 Italians and ended the Rossazzurri’s seven game winless streak with a thorough domination of a Vercelli squad hoping to position itself in a crowded Serie B playoff position.
The veteran Calaio got the home side off to a dream start in the opening minutes when he let a low cross run across his body then quickly turned and passed the ball into the net. The goal seemed to release all tension from the host side as they grew in confidence and had the lion’s share of chances all evening.
Fabian Rinaudo, the lone stranieri in Marconi’s squad, blazed a rocket shot moments later stinging the gloves of Danilo Russo and the Argentinean was once again involved when his cross was received by Daniele Sciaudone in the Vercelli box before being hacked Luca Castiglia and a clear-cut penalty was awarded.
Catania captain Calaio stepped to the spot and effectively closed out the match inside of 15 minutes when he calmly sent Russo the wrong way scoring his 13th goal of the season. The tally puts the well-traveled hitman atop the Serie B scoring leaders tied with new team mate Maniero.
Cristiano Scazzola’s men began to get a foothold in the match after being rocked by the two quick goals but were burned for a third goal past the half hour mark when Rosina hit a left-footed free kick which sailed over the Vercelli wall into the upper 90 of the near post where Russo only managed to get a fingertip to the ball but couldn’t keep out Rosina’s seventh goal of the season.
All life seemed to leave the Vercelli camp with Rosina’s goal and the guests were torched a fourth time a quarter hour after the break when they committed too many in the attack and Catania quickly countered playing Calaio into space down the left flank. The striker curled a cross onto the onrushing Maniero who cut inside and slotted a bullet past a hapless Russo.
Catania are hoping Marcolin may be the man to bring an attacking flair to the Etnei and with 19 matches left in the long Serie B season, it’s not too late for the squad to move from relegation candidates to playoff contenders.
