Catania 0 : 0 US Sassuolo Calcio - Catania held at home

Posted Monday, October 28, 2013 by PA

Two of Serie A's early strugglers Catania and Sassuolo played out a goalless draw at the Stadio Angelo Massimino.

The home side had the majority of the chances but Sassuolo almost left with all the points only for Simone Zaza to miss an open net with four minutes left.

Substitute Zaza rounded goalkeeper Mariano Andujar but failed to find the gaping target.

Catania made most of the early running but Sassuolo goalkeeper Gianluca Pegolo kept them at bay.

Pegolo was tested for the first time on six minutes when Gonzalo Bergessio's clever backheel set Lucas Castro free, but his shot was weak enough for the Sassuolo goalkeeper to cover it.

Pegolo had to be sharper after 18 minutes when Mariano Izco's right-wing cross was headed low to the goalkeeper's right by Jaroslav Plasil.

Sergio Almiron then curled a long-range effort inches wide of the post.

Sassuolo were second best, and when they did finally threaten, a speculative Ezequiel Schelotto effort was high anyway.

Bergessio was similarly wasteful at the other end before going closer with a shot across the face of goal just before the half-time whistle.

Sassuolo at least provided a greater forward threat after half-time.

They created the first chance of the second period, albeit Domenico Berardi lashing high over from 30 yards.

A Panagiotis Tachtsidis free-kick on the hour was only just kept out by Pegolo as it tracked towards the top corner, before the Sassuolo goalkeeper blocked Maxi Lopez's long-range try.

That was as good as it got for Catania who, after controlling for long periods, were thankful to come away with a point.

Alessandro Longhi and Ezequiel Schellotto shot over for Sassuolo in the latter stages but Zaza, who replaced Antonio Floro Flores in the 77th minute, perhaps should have found the target after he dribbled by Andujar.