Home comfort for Catania

Posted Monday, September 30, 2013 by PA

Catania deservedly secured their first league win of the season by beating Chievo 2-0 at the Stadio Angelo Massimino.

Goals from Jaroslav Plasil and Lucas Castro in either half were enough for a win that might have been even more comfortable following a dominant home display.

Catania sat at the foot of the table alongside newly-promoted Sassuolo before kick-off with just a single point, but soon made their mark on the game.

Only a triple save from Chievo goalkeeper Christian Puggioni denied them a 13th-minute opener.

Puggioni first denied Castro before showing his athleticism to twice keep out Pablo Barrientos as he tried to put the loose ball away.

Catania did not have to wait long to go ahead on 22 minutes as this time Puggioni could do nothing about a Plasil strike from the edge of the area.

The Bordeaux loanee could have made it 2-0 moments later when he met a Sergio Almiron cross at the back post but directed his header wide.

Chievo had a couple of chances to equalise before half-time with Ivan Radovanovic's shot from the edge of the area needing a full-stretch save from Mariano Andujar before Sergio Pellissier shot wide after a clever pass from Alessio Setsu.

Catania rode out the pressure and moved 2-0 ahead nine minutes after half-time.

Almiron provided the cross and Castro the finish, albeit with the aid of a deflection, to put Catania within touching distance of their breakthrough win.

Barrientos could have made sure of it when he was left with only Puggioni to beat but crashed his shot straight into the goalkeeper's body.

Nicola Legrottaglie headed high over the crossbar before Chievo's last chance for a consolation goal was sent sailing over the crossbar by Luca Rigoni.