Catania finally recorded their first win of the new Serie A season, defeating Chievo 2-0 at the Stadio Angelo Massimino. On-loan midfielder Jaroslav Plasil scored the opening goal of that match, his first for the club. The Czech international has been vital for the Etnei thus far, yet he’s only made four appearances for his new team.
It’s not Plasil’s goalscoring that will be integral to Catania’s success, it’s his work rate and versatility on both sides of the ball that will influence how the midfield will perform this season.
In his early tenure, Plasil has averaged 2.3 key passes per game (the best in the squad), and has an 82% pass accuracy rate. Defensively, he’s been just as solid, recording around three tackles and two interceptions per match, which are only bettered by Lucas Castro.
One of the Czech’s most underrated qualities is his positional sense. He can play as a regista, centrally, or as a trequartista. Because of this, he can operate as a box-to-box midfielder if need be, which he’s essentially done this season. It’s made a massive difference, even though they’ve failed to win three of the games he’s appeared in.
The transition from Francesco Lodi has been difficult, especially in the early going, but it seems as if Plasil has calmed that storm with his inclusion in the starting 11. Panagiotis Tachtsidis, Mariano Izco, or Sergio Almiron can focus on their roles, and won’t need to be a presence higher up the pitch, Plasil can provide that extra body up front.
Likewise at the back. Tachtsidis is still slightly inexperienced in Serie A and struggled when he was at Roma, but the more games he gets, the more acclimated he’s become. Since he’s mainly defensive minded, he essentially operates as a third centre back.
That’s where Plasil comes in, he operates as a double pivot of sorts. Tachtsidis cleans up the mess, gives the ball to the 31-year-old, and he takes over from there. Now the Greek holder doesn’t need to advance up the pitch in what is an uncomfortable area for him.
Plasil is on loan from French side Bordeaux, which is a shame, because if Catania wanted to purchase him permanently, it would most likely cost them quite a bit of money. For a regular top half club in Italy, around €5 million wouldn’t be so bad, but the Elefanti spent around €8 million on three signings. The only way the Sicilians could buy him would be through player sales of their own.
For now, Catania supporters can enjoy Plasil while he’s there. He’s a key piece for the squad and has been their brightest performer, apart from Nicolas Spolli, who’s been immense at the back this campaign.
However, As long as the Czech’s name is on the team sheet, then he’ll create the spark that could lead to the Rossazzurri challenging for a European spot for the third straight year.
