With 10 games remaining in the 2013/14 Serie A season, teams are beginning to solidify their spots in the table, whether it’s Juventus at the top, Roma and Napoli in the Champions League places, it’s beginning to wind down.
Sassuolo hosted Catania this past weekend in a relegation six-pointer. Both teams lied 20th and 19th in the table respectively heading into the game. A win for either side would have changed the complexion of their campaign.
In the end, it was the Neroverdi who emerged victorious. They came from behind to win 3-1 thanks to a fantastic second half performance. They heavily dominated from basically start to finish, but it wasn’t until the last 45 minutes that the hosts took control in every facet.
For Catania, the game changed once both Pablo Barrientos and Keko were substituted. The former was causing a ruckus for the opposing defence all afternoon, yet coach Rolando Maran tried to play for the point. Given the amount of goals Sassuolo have conceded this year, that wasn’t the smartest move, especially in such an important match.
Maran seems to think differently, as he was lenient with his team post-match.
“It’s a shame because after the draw we were controlling the game,” said the coach.
“This fragility affects us too much, we have little time to regroup. Until now we struggled in the head to head match ups and in the games against more important teams, we must not think about the opponent but about going on the pitch with the right approach.”
The last five games were the team’s best chance to climb out of the basement. Instead, they’re still dwelling in it with the door slowly closing on survival. The fact that Catania were without Nicolas Spolli for the Sassuolo match hurt them, but that shouldn’t have been an excuse, regardless of that or their away form this season.
Their next five games in a row are against Juventus, Napoli (both at home), Udinese away, Torino at home and AC Milan away. The Rossazzurri may have an opportunity to claim a point or two in the third and fifth match-up, but other than that, it’ll probably leave the Elefanti in the dust.
Atalanta, Bologna and Sampdoria are three of their last few opponents on the season. Those are the matches that’ll guarantee which league Catania will be playing in next year.
The “spine” of the team needs to stay healthy and not get suspended in order for them to attain another season of Serie A football. As mentioned before, the base of the squad is integral to Catania’s success.
The odds are definitely against the Sicilians now. They’re four points away from safety and the optimism is fading faster than a Barrientos run into the opposition box. At this point, there’s nothing to lose, it’s either take risks and stay up or play cautiously and get relegated. It seems as if the likes of Livorno and Sassuolo are testing out the former method, while Chievo, Bologna and Catania are trying out the latter.
In a few weeks time, the potentially relegated teams may be set in stone, just like Juve being crowned would-be champions along with Napoli and Roma most definitely clinching a top three spot. It’s up to Catania to make sure they’re not dead in the water before the middle of April.
