Catania vs Fiorentina preview - Matri keen to prove his worth

Posted Sunday, January 19, 2014 by PA

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella will hand new signing Alessandro Matri his debut in Sunday's match at rock-bottom Catania.

The Italian striker joined the Viola this week on a six-month loan deal from AC Milan.

The 29-year-old, who only moved to Milan last summer from Juventus, is hungry for goals and playing time, having scored just once in 15 Serie A appearances this campaign.

"I'm very happy to have arrived to Fiorentina," Matri said to www.acffiorentina.it. "I want to prove my worth here.

"My wish is to score lots of goals for Fiorentina. I am in good form and ready to play."

With German forward Mario Gomez and Fiorentina' top scorer Giuseppe Rossi out of action with respective knee injuries, the Viola were eager to reinforce their attacking line this month.

Montella is set to hand Matri a start against Catania.

Fiorentina go into the encounter in Sicily on the back of a goalless draw at Torino that left them fourth in the standings, five points adrift Napoli, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Rivals Catania sacked Luigi De Canio after just three months in charge and replaced him with Rolando Maran this week.

De Canio, who succeeded Maran back in October, was dismissed following Wednesday's 4-1 defeat to Serie B side Siena in the Coppa Italia.

The outcome followed last weekend's 2-1 loss at Atalanta in the league which left Catania at the foot of the standings, four points away from safety at the halfway stage of the campaign.

Catania, who are winless on the road this season, have mustered just three victories in 19 games so far.

The Sicilians have the worst attacking line in the competition with only 13 goals scored in 19 league games.

Maran will be without five injured players as well as pivotal midfielder Francesco Lodi, who must serve a one-match ban this weekend.