MorimotoMania.com: The Community!

Serie A Preview: Siena - Catania
What: Serie A, Week 8
Who: Siena vs Catania
When: Saturday, October 25, 18:00 CET
Where: Montepaschi Arena, Siena

The eighth round of Serie A matches brings two teams together that would both have been considered relegation candidates last season. This season Catania seems to be attempting a play for the European spots, while Siena still have a battle on their hands to stay up despite some impressive results against better teams.

Catania Turning Out To Be The Surprise Package

Siena have already proven to be a tough team to break down on home soil, which should make things interesting when they welcome high-flying surprise package Catania to the Montepaschi Arena. The Sicilian outfit have been one of the biggest surprises of the season thus far.

They are currently in third place on the Serie A table and will be keen to keep up the pressure on the 'big' teams with another win on the road. Catania's away form has not been particularly inspiring however, and they have only managed to earn two points from their three games and will be hoping to make it five from four. The Sicilian derby favoured Catania last weekend, with the home team taking the advantage in the second half. The first half belonged to the away team, with Palermo pushing hard to go ahead. Shortly before half time Palermo had Moris Carrozzieri sent off for his second yellow card.

The second half saw Catania push forward in search of the win, and in the 68th minute a header from Jorge Martinez gave Walter Zenga’s men the lead, which was further extended after Giuseppe Mascara converted a penalty a few minutes from time. Catania had achieved a 2-0 win, sending Palermo home without any points from the encounter. That win has added to the Sicilian side's confidence ahead of this weekend's clash, and will no doubt help when taking on Siena at home.

Siena Results Cocktail

Siena have had a mixed start to the new season, and have eight points to their name from their first seven games, not bad for a relegation battler. Siena caused a great upset two rounds ago by beating Roma 1-0. The capital club conceded a Mario Frick goal in first-half injury time, which proved enough to sink last year's Scudetto runners-up.

In the last round of games Siena fell 1-0 away to Genoa, where no team has triumphed as yet, including Milan and Roma who have both tried. Most people would have expected Diego Milito to get on the score sheet in this encounter, if his recent form was anything to go by. Twenty minutes into the match Giuseppe Biava scored the opening goal and it was smooth sailing from there, with Genoa wasting numerous chances to put more goals on the score board.

Siena are a different side at home, with few teams finding a trip to Tuscany easy. Their three home games so far have resulted in seven of their eight points and the Bianconeri are yet to concede a single goal at the Montepaschi. That means that the Siena defensive unit can boast one of the most watertight back-lines in Serie A and goalkeeper Gianluca Curci and his defenders will be hoping for a fourth consecutive home clean sheet.

FORM GUIDE

Siena

19 October: Genoa 1-0 Siena
5 October: Siena 1-0 Roma
28 September: Udinese 1-2 Siena
24 September: Siena 0-0 Sampdoria
21 September: Lecce 1-1 Siena

Catania

19 October: Catania 2-0 Palermo
5 October: Reggina 1-1 Catania
28 September: Catania 1-0 Chievo
24 September: Juventus 1-1 Catania
21 September: Catania 1-0 Atalanta

TEAM NEWS

Siena

Siena have no players suspended for this Saturday’s encounter with Catania, but they have a number of team members recovering from injury. Siena boss Marco Giampaolo will have to do without Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos, Nicola Belmonte, Gianluca Sansone and Brandao, who are all out of action. The injury to midfield anchorman Paul Codrea is also likely to keep him off the pitch when this weekend's match roles around.

Probable Starting XI: Curci; Rossettini, Ficagna, Portanova, Del Grosso; Vergassola, Coppola, Galloppa; Kharja; Frick, Maccarone.

Catania

Coach Walter Zenga can be certain that striker Gionatha Spinesi will not be taking part in the game against Siena. Spinesi has been out all season with his long-term injury. Midfielder Pablo Ledesma is back in training following his injury, but he may not be fully fit come the trip to the Montepaschi. The good news is that top scorer Michele Paolucci returns from the suspension that saw him miss last week's derby win over Palermo.

Probable Starting XI: Bizzarri; Sardo, Stovini, Terlizzi, Silvestri; Baiocco, Biagianti, Tedesco; Martinez, Paolucci, Mascara.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Siena

Massimo Maccarone was excellent for Siena last season as the 29-year-old scored 13 strikes in his most prolific season ever for a top-flight club. This season he is yet to score, but he is sure to start building his scoring tally soon, with this week's encounter presenting a good opportunity against Catania at home. Maccarone is looked upon as a leader by the other players due to his goal scoring ability and experience, and the bald-headed hit-man could be the one to lead Siena out of the drop zone, securing them top-flight football into next season.

Catania

Michele Paolucci has been one of Walter Zenga's most in form players so far this term. The Juventus owned youngster has finally started to fulfil his potential in Sicily, scoring three goals in the first seven games. The young striker will be eager to impress and prove himself again after missing last week's Sicilian derby through suspension.

PREDICTION

Siena are a tough nut to crack at home, demonstrated by the 1-0 win against Roma and the generally confident play with they are at the Montepaschi Arena. Catania are flying high and results are going their way this term. Walter Zenga's men will be away from home, but their current form makes them good enough to do the business regardless of the stadium. A 1-1 draw seems like a realistic result, if Siena is able to contain the Catania strikers.

Siena 1-1 Catania

Honours Even Between Siena And Catania
Catania failed to go top of Serie A after salvaging a point at Siena. Emanuele Calaio' gave the home side the lead with a well taken header but the Sicilians pulled one back thanks to a penalty from Giuseppe Mascara. Siena 1-1 Catania

First Half

Both teams started brightly with Catania looking to take the early lead. The Sicilians knew a win would take then top of the table. However, it was Massimo Maccarone who came closest to scoring for Siena on five minutes when he beat Christian Terlizzi. The Italian striker was clean through on goal but Bizzarri made a superb save down at his near post to push the ball away.

The game started to gather pace. The Bianconeri's movement on and off the ball was superb as the fans at the Artemio Franchi pushed their team on. Catania could hardly get a move going but the Rossoazzurri did defend well to their credit. It's real obvious as to why Bizzarri is being regarded as one of the best goalkeeper's in Serie A. The Argentine made a flurry of superb stops on a rampant Maccarone. The Siena striker was on to score when he latched onto Codrea's through ball. It bounced well for the hit-man but rather than place his shot, he attempted to lob Bizzarri, however the 'Keeper was ready and he tipped the ball over the bar with a sublime acrobatic save as he backpedelled to save the day.

Catania began to see more of the ball as the game went on and their first real chance arrived when Alvarez found himself unmarked at the near post but his cross shot which fizzed across the box was well dealt with by Curci who fisted clear.Siena were playing brilliantly. Catania were under pressure as the half wore on. Codrea was pulling all the strings for the Toscani but they were not able to take a lead.

The visitors struggled and they just couldn't supply any chances worthy of mention to the front men. Ghezzal had the chance of the half after some great work by the hit-man. He turned away from Terlizzi on a six pence and skipped towards the area. He came inside on his right and tried to beat Bizzarri with a right-foot curler into the far post. The 'keeper was beaten but the ball ended up going past the wrong side of the upright.

For all their dominance on the pitch, Siena just couldn't turn in their chances as huffed but couldn't blow the house down.Although Siena were pressing, Catania did brilliantly to keep the danger at bay. Bizzarri was in the form of his life and the game was quickly turning into a battle between him and Maccarone. Time after time he pulled off excellent saves.

The homeside just couldn't believe their luck as the shot-stopper gave a goalkeeping masterclass. Catania went down to ten men momentarily as Llama went off with what looked like a bad injury. It was the end of his night as Giacomo Tedesco came on in his place. Neither side were able to take the lead as the referee sent them for a well deserved break.

Second Half

Catania got the second half underway and they quickly showed the sign of a team who were not prepared to give up the fight. The game was more open as the Sicilians tried to make up for their uneventful first half. However, it was Ghezzal who should have had his name on the score sheet within two minutes of the restart. The French-Algerian striker dazzled the Catania defence as he breezed into the box but his finish was straight at Bizzarri. The hit-man should have done better, he was one-on-one with the shot-stopper having beaten the whole backline.

Seconds later it was Ghezzal who tested the 'Keeper's reflexes again as this time he tried with his right foot but again, the shot was tipped out.Ghezzal was on fire and he, like Maccarone in the first half, could have had a hat-trick but the ball just wouldn't cross the line for him or his side as they continue to battle.

Walter Zenga introduced Giuseppe Mascara into the fray in order to give his side more of an attacking threat as he tried to push them up the pitch. The visitors were playing too deep, a tactic which failed to offer any threat towards their opponents. Mascara's introduction hardly had any effect as they continued to struggle. Siena kept banging at the door but it was reinforced with a nut and bolt lock in the form of Bizzarri who kept on taking the pain of Ghezzal's boot throughout the match.

It was supersub Emanuele Caliao's strike 17 minutes from the end which made the difference when he headed Del Grosso's cross from the left. The striker rose above everyone to meet the incoming ball and nod home from close range. Bizzarri, for the first time in the game, was helpless as he saw the ball bounce over the line and hit the roof of the net. It was a well taken goal and a deserved lead from the Toscani.

Minutes later Paolucci was gifted the ball by Calaio and he raced through towards the box Curci came out and brought him down in the area and the ref had no choice but to point to the spot. Mascara stepped up and sent the young shot-stopper the wrong way. Siena seemed to have thrown the game away thanks to Calaio's mistake.

Both sides then frantically went for a winner as the clock ticked down. Calaio was both the hero and then the villain for his side as his mistake cost his side maximum points. Siena then had a penalty shout of their own waved away when Jarolim was hacked down by Silvestri but the match official waved play on.

Teams

Siena: Curci, Rosettini, Ficagna(Moti), Portanova, Del Grosso, Vergassola, Gallopa, Codrea, Kharja(Jarolim), Maccarone(Calaio'), Ghezzal.

Catania: Bizzarri, Alvarez, Silvestre, Terlizzi, Silvestri, Llama(Tedesco), Carboni(Mascara), Biagianti, Izco, Martinez, Paolucci.


Goals: Calaio(Siena), Mascara(Penalty/Catania)

Player Ratings: Siena 1-1 Catania
The spoils were shared at the Artemio Franchi as Siena could only muster a draw with Catania.


Siena

Curci -6.0: The Siena goalkeeper only had one save to make in the first half as he tipped away Martinez's effort behind for a corner. Catania hardly troubled him and he was always ready when called upon.

Rossettini -6.0: Showed some good passing and he was always comfortable at the back. Made some good tackles and worked hard all game.

Ficagna -6.5: The stopper was excellent throughtout. Kept things under control and he played some exciting football. Calm and composed and never showed any signs of panic.

Portanova -6.0: Did his job with efficiency and accuracy but he was quiet. Perhaps it was down to Catania's lack of attacking play.

Del Grosso -6.5: Perhaps Siena's best defender. Kept Paolucci on a leash and had the Catania hit-man in difficulty throughout the first half.

Vergassola -6.0: The Siena number 8 worked hard in the middle and showed an eye for a pass as he move the ball around with great speed and vision. Created some good chances and should have scored.

Codrea -7.5: A great performance by Codrea. He was the constant thorn in Catania's side. Most of the play was coming through his feet. Maccarone was in dream land every time Codrea fed him with passes.

Galloppa -6.5: Rather like his name suggests, the midfielder never stopped galloping up and down the pitch for one second. Always alert and ready to take a pass and worked extremely hard for his team.

Kharja -6.5: A good performance by the attacking midfielder. He added some extra weight up front. His link up play with the two strikers was excellent but his shooting let him down at times.

Maccarone -6.5: He should have scored at least a first half hat-trick. A good all round performance from the big striker who hustled the Catania back line like a thief in the night.

Ghezzal -7.5: The hit-man was outstanding for his side. He had the Sicilians in all kinds off trouble every time he raced towards goal. He should have given his side the lead on numerous occasions but didn't. Nevertheless, he was the best player on the pitch.

Subs: Calaio' 5.5, Jarolim 5.5, Moti 4.5

Catania

Bizzarri -8.0: The Argentine goalkeeper was superb. He pulled off a number of fine saves to keep his side in the game. Showed great agility and he dealt with everything that was thrown at him.

Alvarez -6.0: A good and solid performance by Alvarez. Made some decisive tackles and he was always ready to deal with the dangers. Lost sight of Ghezzal a couple of times but he made up for it with some good play.

Silvestre -5.5: His game seemed to drift in and out of the action but he made some good blocks from Vergassola's crosses and he was wide awake when called upon.

Terlizzi -6.0: His only real mistake was not keeping on his man close enough. Apart from that Terlizzi had a good day at the office and he made some good clearances.

Silvestri -5.5: Silvestri worked hard for his side on the night but he did show some signs of a lack of concentration when he lost the ball to Ghezzal. However his work rate made up for it.

Llama -4.5: The midfielder's game was cut short in the first half as he picked up a nasty injury and he was replaced by Tedesco.

Carboni -5.0: Carboni failed to offer his side anything. His game was quiet and he played too deep which didn't allow his side to work right. Not one of his best showing's by any means.

Biagianti -6.5: Was useful in breaking up the play as he controlled the Sicilian's midfield throughout the game. A good all round performance.

Izco -5.5: A rather quiet game by Izco. He drifted in and out of the play and he didn't do anything of note for his side but he did do the simple things well.

Martinez -6.0: Always the danger man for his side and he should have scored when he had the chance but his effort was met by Curci. Nevertheless he always provided a good threat for his side.

Paolucci -6.5: He did superb to react to Calaio's back pass and he took full advantage as he got the ball and won a penalty from the resulting move. A solid display up front but he could have been more clinical in front of goal.

Subs: Stovini N/A, Mascara 6.0, Tedesco 5.5