Pescara vs Catania preview - Maran warns of tough away day

Posted Friday, December 21, 2012 by PA

Coach Rolando Maran has warned his side to expect a tough test away to struggling Pescara on Friday.

Catania lie eighth in Serie A, six points outside the Europa League qualification places, while Pescara are in the relegation zone after only one win in six games.

However, only one of Catania's league wins this season has come away from home, against Siena earlier this month, and Maran will not be taking the struggling hosts lightly.

"Pescara are a very compact team who are solid in midfield and give you little chance to play," he said.

"That makes it more difficult for us, so we must lift each other on the pitch."

Both of Catania's last two games, against Siena and Sampdoria, have seen them come from 1-0 down at half-time to win 3-1.

And Maran added: "We are physically fit and we force opponents to run a lot, and in the second half of the game that begins to have an effect."

He will be without six-goal top scorer Gonzalo Bergessio due to a foot injury. Souleymane Doukara is set to deputise up front, with Alejandro Gomez also back in contention.

Midfielder Amidu Salifu is another absentee.

Catania coach Cristiano Bergodi said: "Catania are a great team with fast and skilful midfielders.

"We must not fall asleep at the start as has happened in the past; I will demand maximum concentration and a strong start."

Bergodi, who has overseen one win and three defeats since succeeding Giovanni Stroppa, would not comment on the prospective signing of Nicolas Bianchi Arce. The 25-year-old San Lorenzo centre-back is expected to join the club before the Serie A season resumes in January following the winter break.

But he shed light on the fitness of his current squad, with defenders Uros Cosic and Simone Romagnoli, midfielders Emmanuel Cascione and Manuele Blasi and forward Ante Vukusic all struggling with injuries.

Bergodi said: "We are dealing with some injuries but (midfielder Giuseppe) Colucci is available for the bench.

"We will continue with the 4-3-1-2 or 4-3-2-1 systems which, in recent games, have served us well. It remains to be seen who will partner (Elvis) Abbruscato up front, I will make a late decision between Jonathas, (Mervan) Celik or (Juan Fernando) Quintero."