EURO 2024Palermo vs Catania preview - Mutti prepared for Catania battle
Posted Saturday, April 28, 2012 by PA
Palermo coach Bortolo Mutti has called for his players to stand up and be counted as they fight to avoid the drop, starting in the Sicilian showdown against Catania.
Mutti's men have won just one of their last nine games and Wednesday's 2-1 home loss to Parma left them six points and two places above the drop zone with four games to go.
Mutti knows salvation is in his side's hands and has issued a rallying cry to his troops.
"We have to put our defeat to Parma behind us and concentrate on taking three points against Catania," he said. "The desire to get back to winning ways is there and I know that my players have a lot of motivation to beat Catania.
"It will be an important game, which we have to play with our hearts and our brains."
Palermo have taken just one point of a possible 15 in their last five games at the Renzo Barbera stadium.
Lack of goalscoring has been their main problem with the Rosanero having found the back of the net just twice in their last five games at home.
Opponents Catania lie eighth in the standings, 11 points clear of the drop zone, with nothing much to play for.
However, coach Vincenzo Montella insists his team will give 100 per cent at La Favorita on Saturday.
He said: "We know Palermo will be thirsty for victory but we are ready for them.
"We have our targets and if we have to fight of course we won't hold back.
"Our determination will be at its maximum."
Catania go into the encounter on the back of a 3-0 defeat at Cagliari, their third loss in their last four games.
The home side welcomes back Argentinian midfielder Nicolas Bertolo from suspension.
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