betting
Catania
By David, BettingExpert.com | Edited
Argentina in disguise
The Sicilian club is now officially the number one club in the World, outside Argentina, in terms of players from the South American country in their ranks – a total of twelve. Sensation manager Marco Giampaolo, considered one of the hottest Italian prospects in the game, has welcomed all to his new project.
Coach: Giampaolo
Tactics: 4-3-1-2
Players In: Alejandro Gomez, Martinho, Pesce, Costa, Antenucci
Players Out: Martinez, Moretti, Bellusci, Catellani
Current Probable Formation: Andujar, Alvarez, Silvestre, Terlizzi, Capuano, Izco, Pablo Ledesma, Carboni, Ricchiuti, Maxi Lopez, Mascara
Lo Monaco, the general director of Catania, has probably
sealed the biggest acquisition for the club when he secured the services of a
coach such as Giampaolo. Despite all the classy players brought in from South
America it is the new coach, 
who has already proven himself at Siena before the problems that emerged in that club, who can ensure that their going is easier
this season.
Last year the Sicilian club had looked destined for the drop with just one sole win to their name in the first 16 Serie A outings. Things eventually changed and with the changes that brought the experience and ambition of the ex-left back Mihajlovic to the Catania bench, Catania’s Massimino stadium soon transformed itself into a fortress. In the last eleven home games they never conceded defeat, beating giants Inter, Fiorentina and neighbourhood rivals Palermo.
Lo Monaco sought to keep the same men that had guaranteed success for the club. Martinez had gathered too much attention and holding onto him would have been unrealistic. He will be a loss for the club but it is hoped that the latest newcomer Alejandro Gomez can replace him effectively on the wings. The reasoning was different for the other shining star of the team. A January reinforcement, Maxi Lopez helped the team secure their Serie A status last season with his goals. Despite the array of good strikers at the club, Mascara, Morimoto, Plasmati and, if required, also Barrientos, Maxi Lopez’s contribution is thought of as fundamental. A total of eleven goals in just 17 matches played says a lot about his goal scoring abilities. That is why the club has decided to keep hold of the Argentine striker, at least for another season.
Assisted by Mascara, who is both the club captain and the player most gifted in the Catania ranks, Maxi Lopez can form a fearsome partnership that may trouble any visiting team at the Massimino. Japanese youngster Morimoto is very reliable coming in handy on a number of occasions last season. His instinct for goals will be of value once again.
Filling up the spots in a midfield that may, on occurrence, transform from a four-men midfield to a five-men more defensively-minded one are players such as Pablo Ledesma and Carboni. The two are to fill in for central roles with the latter taking care of the defensive aspect and the former hoping to get a stable place as the organizer of play for the team. Last season he was left out of Mihajlovic’s plans when the Serbian coach took charge but Giampaolo seems intent on confirming his faith in the man.
As for the wings Izco, the longest serving Argentine player in the Catania camp at the moment, looks ready to repeat last season’s surprising displays. Alejandro Gomez should be given duties on the left side. He plays on both the right and the left flanks though so can be used as required. Llama, currently on the sidelines and not expected to make his comeback anytime soon, will most probably take back his place in midfield once he overcomes his injury woes. At that point one between Izco and Gomez might have to see more of the match from the sidelines.
Llama has great versatility and can very easily become part of a 3-5-2 formation with his ability to cover a whole flank, given his incessant runs, discipline and energy. He was another revelation at the club and were it not for the sudden long term injury suffered he would most probably have been sold to a more ambitious club.
Barrientos was another unlucky player when it came to injuries. He has now been on the sidelines for almost a year but is close to a comeback. Finding a place for him will not be easy but Giampaolo will have to deal with that as the season unfolds. He is a playmaker but can alternatively be utilized playing behind Maxi Lopez. That would entail the loss of Mascara from the first team line-up unless the Italian is moved around on Giampaolo’s chess board that would see the 4-4-2 revert to a 3-5-2.
Ricchiuti is another playmaker at the club and the abundance
of players in those positions makes it almost automatic that he be placed on
the transfer list. No serious bidders have so far come forward and made their
interest known though, so he might as well stay on and fight for a shirt. He
has got the talent and enough time to prove himself until January.
Going into the defensive line-up the choices here are more limited. The starters, however, are very solid considering the level and ambitions of Catania. Once again it is the good scouting job of Lo Monaco and his collaborators that is to be praised. Left-back Pablo Alvarez did extremely well last season, keeping hold of opposing star players quite well whenever he was required to take on such duties. Close to him, but in a central position, Silvestre carved out a place for himself as well. He is young and very gifted with the ball too, complementing Spolli’s physical prowess in the heart of the Catania backline. Capuano will be in charge of left-back duties.
Both Alvarez and Silvestre might settle for a new contract in greener pastures should Catania perform well this season and give them enough space to affirm themselves. Joining them could be goalkeeper Andujar. He was part of Maradona’s selection for South Africa despite not having played much of a role on the pitch.
Catania constructed an all round strong side with enough squad depth for rotation up front. Play should focus mostly on the wings where Giampaolo can make use of some effective players at turning the game around with their speed. The recovery of Llama will be fundamental. The likes of Mascara, Maxi Lopez and Morimoto can guarantee goals. At the back the team is quite solid too yet worries should emerge when one of the starters is unavailable.
With a football mind such as Giampaolo at the helm Catania should guarantee themselves a successful season. They have the right men to achieve a secure and stable position above the drop zone especially with the games at their own Massimino stadium. It should be a nuisance to go play there for many teams this season, even the big boys. They can emulate last season’s Bari before lending themselves to some heavy business next summer when their prized assets would be ripe enough to cut from the tree and sell away.
Predicted finishing position: 16th
The team is in good capable hands. Giampaolo is a promising young coach and will surely be making good use of the talented players Lo Monaco has managed to snap up for the club. A strong home team, securing their Serie A status should not be as hard as many would expect.
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