MD7: Catania - Lazio

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Catania - Lazio
Stadio Massimino

Newly-promoted Catania will be hoping to net their first win since Week 1 when they welcome Lazio to the Stadio Angelo Massimino. It will be no easy task overcoming the Biancocelesti, however, as they are currently one of the form sides in Serie A.

Starting the campaign with minus-11 points due to their Calciopoli punishment, Delio Rossi’s side are now just one win away from getting into positive figures. Their run of three consecutive victories may have been halted after being held to a goalless draw by Cagliari, but that could so easily have been turned into a win had Massimo Oddo converted a penalty.

The normally reliable spot-kicker will be absent in Sicily this weekend though, as he was dismissed in stoppage time of that game – his replacement is expected to be Manuel Belleri while he sits out a two-match ban. Aside from him, only long-term absentees Valon Behrami, Pasquale Foggia, Stephen Makinwa and Sebastiano Siviglia remain on the sidelines.

The Elefanti have rather less injury concerns, with Brazilian stopper Cesar, Fausto Rossini and Gianluca Falsini the only players unavailable. As a result, their sole change is likely to be in defence, with Peruvian summer signing Juan Vargas dropping to the bench to make way for Giorgio Lucenti.

The attacking trio of Giuseppe Colucci, Gionatha Spinesi and Giuseppe Mascara are all expected to retain their places in the side, so it’s another week on the bench for Giorgio Corona. Catania boss Pasquale Marino is famed for his attacking outlook, but with only one win to their name this term it might be time for a tactical shake-up if things don’t go to plan against the capital club.

Man on fire: Giuseppe Mascara (Catania) – The No 10 has netted three times already this term, including a stunning goal against Inter in Week 6.

Last season: Not played

Form guide: Catania (D L D L L) Lazio (L W W W D)

Catania (probable): Pantanelli; Silvestri, Minelli, Sottil, Lucenti; Caserta, Edusei, Baiocco; Colucci, Spinesi, Mascara

Lazio (probable): Peruzzi; Belleri, Cribari, Stendardo, Zauri; Manfredini, Baronio, Ledesma, Mauri; Rocchi, Pandev

Ref: To follow...

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...7/cat-laz.html

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Serie A Week 7 - 22/10/06 (14.00 UK)

Catania 3 - 1 Lazio
Colucci 36, 53 (C), Spinesi 45 (C), Rocchi 57 (L)
Stadio Via del Mare, Lecce

Catania were not hurt by playing in an empty stadium, as they swept a disappointing Lazio aside.

This game was played behind closed doors and on neutral turf at Lecce's Stadio Via del Mare, as Catania began a two-match ban on the Massimino for crowd trouble. The Biancocelesti were hoping to get back on track after the goalless draw with Cagliari, a tie that saw Massimo Oddo sent off and handed a two-game suspension.

Angelo Peruzzi was left stranded, but Sebastiano Siviglia got back in time to clear from Vargas in front of an empty net.

Gionatha Spinesi wasted a good opportunity and Peruzzi parried Davide Baiocco's close-range strike.

The deadlock was eventually broken on 36 minutes when Giuseppe Colucci was left relatively unmarked for a free header from six yards on a sweeping Silvestri cross from the right.

The Sicilians doubled their lead just before the break. Once again Silvestri combined with Colucci to set up Spinesi's close-range tap-in at the back post.

Lazio introduced Foggia for Stefano Mauri, but their performance remained extremely sluggish and Catania made it 3-0. Spinesi's strike was charged down by defenders, but the loose ball fell to Colucci for an angled drive that surprised Peruzzi.

Catania evidently felt the game was over and handed Lazio a goal with Baiocco's dismal backpass straight into the path of Tommaso Rocchi.

Spinesi would've made it four had it not been for a fine Peruzzi reaction save, while Foggia drilled wide and Mutarelli wasted a good opportunity for the Biancocelesti.

Catania: Pantanelli; Silvestri, Stovini, Sottil, Vargas; Baiocco, Edusei, Caserta; Colucci (Millesi 85), Spinesi (Corona 79), Mascara

Lazio: Peruzzi; Belleri, Stendardo, Siviglia, Zauri; Manfredini (Mudingayi 58), Mutarelli, Baronio, Mauri (Foggia 46); Pandev (Tare 65), Rocchi

Ref: Messina

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...7/cat-laz.html