Serie A' MD20: Parma - Catania [27-01-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Catania-Parma

Stadio Massimino

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Catania and Parma will both be looking to start picking up the results to match their performances when they meet at the Stadio Massimino after slipping into danger of relegation.

The Elefantini might be struggling on their travels this season, but on home soil they have been in impressive form. Their last three games under the shadow of Etna have seen them record two wins and a draw, not bad results considering they’ve faced high-flying Juventus, Champions League challengers Udinese and fierce rivals Palermo in the Sicilian derby. If they can keep that up in front of the Massimino crowd then the fans should be leaving happy again this weekend.

However, Rossazzurri Coach Silvio Baldini will have to contend with a number of defensive absences if he is to guide his team to victory. Gennaro Sardo is suspended after picking up his sixth yellow card of the season in the 2-0 defeat to Roma, leaving Catania short of options at full-back with Rocco Sabato also out through injury. It is in the centre that Baldini will be most worried though, with Andrea Sottil injured and Christian Terlizzi a major doubt. They will also be without striker Takayuki Morimoto.

Parma will be counting the cost of their controversial loss to Inter last Sunday night. Experienced Portuguese defender Fernando Couto is suspended following his red card in that match, but he won’t hear too many complaints from his Coach as Domenico Di Carlo also received a ban for his protests. To make matters worse, defenders Massimo Paci and Ferdinand Coly are both out injured along with young midfielder Daniele Dessena. There is good news too though, as striker Igor Budan is back from injury and should join new signing Cristiano Lucarelli on the bench.

Those attacking options will be greatly appreciated, despite the two goals they put past the Nerazzurri last week. Before that extraordinary match at the San Siro it had taken them six games on their travels to amass that many. While results might not have gone their way recently and they have been severely punished for their problems in front of goal, there have been plenty of signs that the Crociati can turn things around and finish clear of the relegation zone.

Keep an eye on: Bernardo Corradi (Parma) – The former foreign flop has had the lone striker’s role all to himself for most of the season, but with Igor Budan back and Cristiano Lucarelli arriving he is literally playing for his place in this game.

Last season: Catania 2-0 Parma

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


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Catania (probable): Polito; Silvestri, Stovini, Terlizzi, Vargas; Izco, Baiocco, Biagianti; Martinez, Spinesi, Mascara

Parma (probable): Bucci; Zenoni, Falcone, Rossi, Castellini; Reginaldo, Morrone, Cigarini, Pisanu; Gasbarroni; Corradi

Ref: To follow...

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[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 20 - 27/1/08 (14.00 UK)
Catania 0 - 0 Parma

Stadio Massimino

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The shares were spoiled in this less than electric encounter at the Stadio Massimino that does precious little to help either side.

Both teams have impressed with recent performances, but didn't match them with the results, so this was a relegation tussle. Catania held Juventus to a 1-1 draw here in their last home game, while Parma were smarting after losing a 2-1 lead to fall 3-2 at Inter in stoppages. Fernando Couto was sent off in that tie and sat out a ban, while Massimo Paci, Ferdinand Coly and Daniele Dessena were injured. The Sicilians had Gennaro Sardo suspended with Andrea Sottil and Christian Terlizzi battling fitness worries.

Ciro Polito plucked a Bernardo Corradi header out of the air, while Andrea Gasbarroni wanted a penalty for a Cristian Terlizzi handling offence.

Luca Bucci struggled to keep out Gionatha Spinesi's powerful free kick and a similar effort from Colucci. When Catania did hit the back of the net with a Spinesi flicked header, the referee disallowed it for a less than clear push.

Giuseppe Mascara got to a Colucci cross and saw it deflected wide from point-blank range.

Parma had the best chance of the game on 67 minutes when Ciro Polito completely missed a long ball forward. Reginaldo had an empty net to aim at, but under pressure turned his free header wide!

Corradi had a goal disallowed for his offside position, but neither team could break through in a dull second half.


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Catania: Polito; Silvestri, Terlizzi, Stovini, Vargas; Baiocco (Izco 82), Edusei, Tedesco (Pia' 67); Colucci, Spinesi (Morimoto 77), Mascara

Parma: Bucci; Zenoni, Falcone, M Rossi, Castellini; Mariga, Cigarini, Morrone; Pisanu (Budan 91), Gasbarroni (Reginaldo 67); Corradi (Lucarelli 82)

Ref: Celi

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