Bologna vs Catania preview - Pellegrino demands spirited display

Posted Saturday, May 10, 2014 by PA

Catania coach Maurizio Pellegrino has urged his players to show the same determination that saw them stun Roma in the last round when they visit Bologna on Sunday.

The Sicilians beat Roma 4-1 on Saturday to climb to 19th place, four points adrift of Chievo, who hold the last safety position with two games remaining.

"We have two more games left to play and we have to get a win on Sunday and hope that Cagliari grant us a favour by beating Chievo," Pellegrino said. "The victory over Roma allowed us to remain in the battle to avoid the drop.

"But that will mean nothing if we lose on Sunday.

"Against Bologna, we have to show the same hunger and determination that we displayed against Roma."

Catania have yet to win on the road this season and have mustered just two points of a possible 54 away from home.

The Sicilians can expect a battle at the Renato Dall' Ara stadium with fellow strugglers Bologna also fighting to avoid the drop.

The Rossoblu were held to a goalless draw at Genoa last time out and lie one place and one point adrift of safety.

"Sunday's game is going to be a battle," Bologna striker Rolando Bianchi said. "But we intend to fight until the end.

"We believe we can defend our Serie A status.

"A city like Bologna deserves to have a team in Italy's top flight and we will do all that we can to remain in this division."

Davide Ballardini's men are winless since March 23 and have failed to score in their last three league games, while they will be without suspended defender Nicolo Cherubin.

Fortunately for the hosts, Catania have won one of the leakiest defences in the competition with 64 goals conceded in 36 games.