Despite having their four game unbeaten streak snapped, Catania actually performed admirably in their 2-0 defeat to Chievo.
Cyril Thereau’s penalty gave the hosts a lead just before halftime, which was a blow considering that the Rossazzurri were probably the better side up until that point. Catania outshot Chievo in the first half, although the red card to Gennaro Sardo helped fuel the visitors’ pressure.
It was the second half where the Elefanti were dull. They couldn’t break down the stingy defence that the Flying Donkeys put in front of them, and like they always do, countered against the run of play and earned a chance from a set piece, which Chievo capitalized on.
Two momentary lapses were the difference in the match. Defensively Catania were solid, but in attack they couldn’t find a way through. It was simply one of those days where nothing went right.
Now the team faces a slightly tougher task in Genoa at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. While the Grifone haven’t enjoyed the same run of form they had when coach Gian Piero Gasperini first arrived, they’re still safely slotted in a mid-table position. They’re also coming off of a morale-boosting draw against Napoli.
Considering that Catania have earned just two points on the road this season, the task at hand is a large one. Couple that with a rotated attack (Pablo Barrientos, Gonzalo Bergessio and Lucas Castro are unavailable), clearly Maran is playing for a draw.
Any point earned at this stage in the season is a positive. Besides, the Etnei are back at home the match after that against Cagliari, which is a perfect opportunity to grab a victory.
With Sassuolo struggling under Alberto Malesani and Livorno never seemingly adjusting to life in Serie A, Catania are essentially guaranteed at least 18th place. They’re just two points away from safety (Bologna and Chievo occupy the last two spots above the relegation zone) so four points could finally get them out of the deep end.
However, the injuries to Barrientos, Bergessio and Castro are worrying. If they’re lingering knocks, then that would force coach Rolando Maran to field a more defensive-minded starting lineup. Assuming that happens and the Rossazzurri lose most of the matches they’re out for, the confidence the team earned during their little undefeated stretch will evaporate as quickly Mariano Izco’s goal against Lazio.
Those three players are the top three scorers. They’ve combined for 10 goals, which accounts for about 53% of the team’s output on the campaign. Castro is also tied for the most assists with two, the others are the departed Maxi Lopez and Francesco Lodi, who only returned this January.
The attack will struggle without them, but the best that Maran can hope for is a 0-0 draw, or to take advantage on set pieces. Lodi’s arrival has meant that those scenarios have been a lot more dangerous. Before that, Catania were the least threatening team via free kicks or corners. Now that’s changed, but they’ll need to deliver more so than usual without their star forwards.
If they don’t, “not that bad” will produce the same result as the game against Chievo.
