Serie A, Week 11: Catania steamroll Lazio, Napoli get just a point

Such controversy, or possibly an earful from Montella, must have fired up the home side, as they scored just minutes after the restart. Cagliari, perhaps thinking Stevan Jovetic was no danger after he’d failed to score in the past three matches, foolishly left the Montenegrin unmarked on a corner. His resulting volley easily passed Agazzi.

The home fans were restless at the start after staging a protest against recent refereeing decisions that have gone against their side.

On 19 minutes, Gomez slipped in Barrientos, but Bizzarri got enough of a touch to guide the ball wide of the post.

It took Torino a bit to recover, but by the 20th minute, they’d found their bearings enough to exert a bit of pressure on the partenopei. Ronaldo Bianchi sent a header straight to Morgan De Sanctis, but the move set off a series of corners and shots, requiring every Napoli player to get inside the area to fend off the storm.

By the thirtieth minute, Napoli looked content to kick the ball around, as though it would simply be too much effort to find a second goal. Oh, how they would rue such a decision. However, at the time it seemed rather understandable, as although Torino had chances, no one was able to finish them.

Stroppa’s side were the lowest scorers going in, having failed to score in their last four games. The under fire coach had taken his squad into il ritiro (seclusion) for four days in preparation.

Pescara had two good chances in stoppage time. Abbruscato’s dangerous low cross was cut out by Yohan Benalouane. Emanuele Cascione then chested down a ball in the box, only to slip at the crucial moment and balloon over.

Catania have won four of the last six league meetings between the two at the Massimino. Last season’s fixture was settled by a solitary goal from Legrottaglie. The hosts have picked up ten points from a possible 15 at home so far. Lazio did win here 4-1 two seasons ago and have won three out of their five road trips of the current campaign.

Catania injuries and suspensions

One hopes this will be a thrilling match, with both sides throwing caution into the wind and playing for all three points. But the unfortunate reality is that both will likely be so unwilling to surrender a goal that we’ll end up watching some pretty dull football.

None. Naturalmente.