It’s been obvious for months but it’s finally official, Catania have been relegated to Serie B. Despite winning back-to-back matches for the first time this season and recording their first away victory, it wasn’t enough for the Rossazzurri to avoid the drop.
Bologna and Livorno will join the Sicilians next year, but already it appears as if the Elefanti will be shorthanded. Pablo Barrientos is linked to a return to Argentina with San Lorenzo, while Francesco Lodi is apparently being pursued by Palermo.
Both rumoured deals are reportedly being evaluated heavily by Catania. Usually when a club gets relegated, their best talent leaves unless they’re stalwarts at the team. Both players said they’re happy to stay, but surely if another suitor approaches them with the promise of money and quality football, they have to take it.
Assuming either player leaves the Etnei, that’ll leave two significantly large shoes to fill. Without a coach appointed yet, there’ll be plenty of work left for president Antonino Pulvirenti. There are a few players out on loan that could replace Barrientos and Lodi short term.
Federico Moretti is one option for Lodi. The 25-year-old is on loan at Padova in Serie B, he could stay with his parent club next season assuming the new coach has him in his plans. Homegrown player Fabio Sciacca and Panagiotis Tachtsidis are other possibilities as well.
Barrientos’ replacement may require pursuing someone in the transfer market. No one in the current squad is good enough to fill in. It would benefit Catania to stick to Italian players as signing another average Argentinian won’t cut it if they plan to get back to Serie A and stay there.
Another player apparently on the way out is right back Gino Peruzzi, who was acquired this past summer from Velez Sarsfield in Argentina. He cost the club around €4.1 million with 15% of the player’s next sale going to the Argentinean club. The reported fee that Catania would be paid is around €6.5 million from either Inter, AC Milan or teams abroad.
Some of that cash can go towards a winger to take over for Barrientos. Either that or it can be re-invested in the youth academy. Considering Catania’s poor financial status, especially after purchasing land for a new stadium, giving youth a chance is a fantastic alternative for bolstering the squad.
Their Sicilian rivals Palermo have benefited by buying players from South America but sold them for a huge profit without wisely re-investing it in youth development. Had they done that, their players would have given their all for the club that handed him the chance at first team football.
The Rosanero could have profited in many ways if they had done that. Even with the coaching carousel, having players who love representing the club could be enough to fight off relegation. Catania would do well to execute that same plan.
Considering the lack of funds on player signings, plans for a new stadium and being in Serie B, Pulvirenti may not have a choice. It would make so much sense financially and methodically to put more faith in the academy. It may take a while to come to fruition, but when it does, everyone involved will be reaping the rewards.
