Cesena 0 : 0 Catania - Stalemate at Cesena

Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 by PA

Ten-man Cesena held Catania to a goalless draw in Serie A to stop their losing run.

Cesena defender Daniel Pudil was sent off for dissent after 21 minutes, but the visitors failed to capitalise on their numerical superiority and had to settle for a point.

Catania came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 71st minute when Pablo Barrientos' 12-yard shot struck the far post.

The visitors had Sergio Almiron sent off at the death for headbutting Cesena's Gianluca Comotto.

The result at the Dino Manuzzi stadium halted Cesena's dismal run of four straight defeats, but their troubles have hardly eased. They sit 19th in the standings, 12 points from safety.

The hosts started brightly with Giuseppe Colucci's powerful drive from 30 yards kept out by Catania goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo.

Adrian Mutu then nodded Mario Santana's cross just wide of the far post as Cesena looked the more dangerous.

However, Cesena soon found themselves on the back foot when Pudil was booked for a late tackle on Pablo Barrientos and was then was sent off for complaining to the referee about the decision.

It took Catania 39 minutes to test Cesena goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli.

Gonzalo Bergessio found Alejandro Gomez in the area and his right-footed effort was saved by Antonioli.

Marco Motta should have given Catania the lead before half-time, but his header from Francesco Lodi's free-kick was off target.

Catania came to life in the second half and on the hour mark Barrientos' close-range effort was saved by Antonioli.

Barrientos was then denied by a post and Gonzalo Bergessio wasted a good chance when he struck the ball wide from a good position as the visitors continued to be frustrated.

Bergessio could have handed Catania all three points at the death, but his left-footed attempt from Motta's cross was denied yet again by the Cesena keeper.

And the game ended on a sour note for the away side as Almiron was dismissed at the death.