Catania-Napoli Preview

By: fortunato | April 5th, 2008

The Partenopei battle the struggling Calcio Catania squad Sunday at the Stadio Angelo Massimino at 3:00 pm local time. Here is a look at both squads, their expected formations and news worthy topics leading up to the showdown.

CATANIA NEWS

The Sicilian team enter the match sitting just above the relegation zone after their latest disappointing result last Sunday, a 2-1 home defeat by Torino. Their lack of success this season led to the squad deciding to part company with manager Silvio Baldini on Monday replacing him with ex-Italian national team keeper Walter Zenga.

Zenga who had quit as coach of Romania’s Dinamo Bucharest in November 2007 and had also previously coached National Bucharest as well as New England Revolution in the US and UAE side Al-Ain among others. He had earned 58 caps for Italy and was a mainstay of Inter teams in the 1980s and early 90s. At the press conference on Monday, Zenga had praised the work of Baldini but also stated that there was little time, with seven games remaining to turn things around but he confidently stated that team did have the talent to compete and perform to a higher level than it had been.

Catania is led up front by the talented striker duo of Uruguayan Jorge Martinez and Gionatha Spinesi who lead Catania with 5 goals each this season. Ironically, their bench depth includes ex-Napoli striker Inacio Pia. Pia arrived in Sicily in the January transfer market and is goal less in eight games at Catania, after scoring three goals in sixteen games with Treviso in Serie B.

The back end of the Sicilian team is tended by Neapolitan, Ciro Polito, a 29 year old workhorse this season and a veteran of all Italian divisional wars throughout his ten year career. Their backline is anchored by 32 year old veteran, Lorenzo Stovini and 25 year old, Peruvian phenom Juan Vargas (more about him later).

This Sicilian side is an effective and proven home team sporting only four losses in 15 home games (6 victories) but their troubles are their road play where they have yet to win away from the Massimino this season. Their impressive home performances this season include victories over Sampdoria, Palermo, Udinese and ties against Juventus and Milan however they enter the game winless in four games and sport the following five game results: L-D-D-L-W.

NAPOLI NEWS

Reports surfaced earlier this week that the possibilities of Argentinean striker Saviola joining the Partenopei next season were in fact grossly over stated and his agent confirmed that the rumoured transfer would be unlikely. With this news in mind and since the Azzurri are on their way down to Catania, reports have surfaced that Napoli is going to make a strong pitch for Catania’s left back striker Juan Vargas. Vargas has shown glimpses of excellence since signing from Colon de Santa Fe in 2006 which has led to interest from a host of clubs, including Juventus, Milan, Liverpool, Barcelona and Roma.

Vargas has been promised by Catania management that he can leave the team at the end of the season, and it has been confirmed that the Partenopei have entered the race to sign him. Let’s keep on eye on him to see if he is all he appears to be cracked up to be as reports state that one of the first changes that Zenga will make will be to start Vargas in a midfield position on Sunday.

From a road-away standpoint, Napoli is guilty of better home results than on the road and the Partenopei own a rather terrible road record of 2 wins, 4 ties and 9 losses which worries me quite a bit. Napoli’s last rod win was the February 24 08, 2-1 win against Livorno thanks to Calaio’s heroics in the 92nd minute. Their latest road result was the less than impressive performance at Reggina on March 22 where they earned a 1-1 draw but all statistics indicated a superior Reggina performance all throughout.

Manger Edy Reja has replaced the suspended Blasi with the returning Mannini and Gargano is back to anchor the midfield after serving a suspension of his own. Savini will start along the left side of the pitch while Garics sits again. Sosa will join Lavezzi up front and our anchor, Santacroce is back from injury. Both Iezzo and Cupi continue to practice with the team but are not quite yet ready for game action.

Probable Lineups/Formations

Catania (4-3-3): Polito-Sardo-Silvestre-Stovini-Vargas-Izco-Edusei-Tedesco-Martinez-Spinesi-Colucci

Napoli (3-5-2): Gianello-Santacroce-Cannavaro-Domizzi-Mannini-Pazienza-Gargano-Hamsik-Savini-Sosa-Lavezzi

QUICK ANALYSIS

This will not be an easy game and in fact, I believe it may be another game similar to the aforementioned Reggina game. These southern teams, on the cusp of elimination have lots to play for and their home records indicate that they are very difficult at home and they have proven this with good results, in their yards against the Serie A elites. Napoli must control the ball and spread the field out. Catania will most certainly want to do the same and will want to impress the very much respected Zenga particularly for their first game in front of very passionate southern fans.

I fear that Napoli may be walking into the lion’s den and will need to play a solid game to survive. I believe that they will and will walk out with a 1-1 draw.