Catania continue rise with Pescara win

Posted Sunday, May 12, 2013 by Foxsports.com

Catania climbed into the top eight of the Serie A standings after beating already-relegated Pescara 1-0 with a second-half goal from Alejandro Gomez.

The Argentinian winger struck the only goal of the game six minutes after half-time to help Catania move above stuttering Inter Milan in the table.

The Rosazzurri, who even before on Saturday night's match had already picked up more points than in any previous top-flight campaign, bossed the first half but a mixture of poor finishing and good goalkeeping from Pescara's Mattia Perin keep the teams level.

Francesco Lodi fired inches wide early on before Perin did well to keep out efforts from Gonzalo Bergessio, Marco Biagianti and Sergio Almiron.

Pescara, who are only playing for pride having seen their relegation to Serie B confirmed weeks ago, barely threatened before the break with their best effort seeing Ferdinando Sforzini fire well over from inside the box.

Catania finally made their dominance count in the 51st minute when they took the lead following a rapid counter-attack. Almiron started the move and it finished with Bergessio sending over a perfect pass for Gomez to tap in at the back post.

That proved to be the match-winner as although Catania continued to push for a second in the remainder of the match, they were thwarted once more.

Perin again proved their biggest obstacle, the 20-year-old saving from Sforzini and twice from Bergessio (twice), while on the occasion he was beaten, direct from Pablo Barrientos' corner, the ball came back off a post.