Catania drew 0-0 with Torino at the Stadio Angelo Massimino in Serie A action on Saturday night.
The hosts were reduced to 10 men after just 12 minutes had been played, but Torino were unable to capitalise and Catania missed a first-half penalty to see the match end in a scoreless draw despite numerous chances.
The hosts ran out the brighter of the two sides as Sergio Almiron went just wide of the mark inside the first minute, whilst Pablo Barrientos fizzed one past the post with his head not long after.
On 13 minutes, however, disaster struck for the Elefanti. Potentially transfer-bound playmaker Francesco Lodi reacted virulently to a late tackle, slapping Riccardo Meggiorini in the back of the head and receiving his marching orders, reducing his side to 10 men.
The Granata nearly capitalised on their numerical advantage immediately, but Mariano Andujar recovered to tip away a deflected effort as it looped towards his goal.
The match quickly took another turn, yet, as shorthanded Catania were awarded a penalty when Giuseppe Vives clumsily hacked down Mariano Izco on the far right side of the area. As usual specialist Lodi had been dismissed, Gonzalo Bergessio came forward to claim the spot-kick, but agonizingly banged his attempt off of the woodwork to maintain the deadlock.
Alejandro Gomez burst forward into the offensive third to unleash a howitzer on goal, but Gillet flew to fingertip it away.
The Sicilans continued to see the majority of the chances despite having only 10 men and could’ve taken the lead once more when Gomez played Bergessio clear on goal, but the Argentine’s first touch let him down as Gillet rushed out to clear.
After the halftime restart the Elefanti threatened again with a sizzling long-range strike from Bergessio, but Gillet again did well to keep his side on terms.
An intelligent flick from Meggiorini played Rolando Bianchi into a dangerous position on the left side of the box, but the Italian could manage only a tame side-footed shot directly at Andujar.
Valter Birsa replaced Alessandro Gazzi for Torino as the visitors looked to finally press home their man advantage.
Alessio Cerci nearly did so in spectacular style on 66 minutes, but the Rome youth product’s arching curler floated just past the far post.
Rolando Maran withdrew Bergessio for Lucas Castro soon after in an effort to refresh his forward line.
Almiron attempted to catch Gillet out from miles away with a well-struck effort, but the Belgian veteran claimed easily.
Castro was only able to roll into the arms of Gillet soon after following some tricky work by fellow Argentine Gomez.
Gianluca Sansone and Simone Verdi came on for Meggiorini and Cerci respectively, whilst Amidu Salifu stepped in for Almiron for the home side.
Barrientos’ free kick was blocked away by the wall, after which Catania manager Rolando Maran received his marching orders from the referee for dissent.
Substitute Salifu hit a dipping, swerving strike from 30 yards, but Gillet was able to grip the speculative attempt.
In the dying moments, Verdi floated a cross across the box to Verdi, but the 20 year-old flashed his shot back across the face of goal on the slide from close range.
Neither side was able to find a winning goal as time expired, the match ending a scoreless draw after four minutes of time added on.
You can follow Ian Capasso on Twitter @capasso10.
