Catania vs Livorno preview - Maran ready for Livorno test

Posted Saturday, February 01, 2014 by PA

Catania coach Rolando Maran insists his team is well aware of the importance of Sunday's home match against Livorno.

With just three wins form 21 games, Catania lie at the foot of the standings in Serie A, four points from safety.

Last weekend's goalless draw at Inter Milan was of some comfort to Maran, whose side earned its first point away from home this season.

Victory over Livorno could set Catania on the path to safety.

"There is no doubt in our minds that the game against Livorno is extremely important for us," Maran said.

"We go into this game having not conceded a goal at the San Siro and that is a big boost in confidence for my players.

"Now we need to give everything we have and hope to return to winning ways as soon as possible."

Maran has urged the Catania fans to get behind the team.

"We need their support at this stage of the season," he said. "We hope that on Sunday they will give us a helping hand because Livorno is a tough team."

Livorno ended a five-game losing streak in last weekend's 3-1 win over Sassuolo to give Domenico Di Carlo a perfect start as coach of the Tuscan outfit.

Di Carlo replaced Attilio Perotti last week and was delighted with his team's performance.

"If my players show determination they displayed against Sassuolo in every game, there is no reason why we cannot defend our Serie A status," Di Carlo said.

The win was Livorno's fourth of the campaign and lifted the Tuscan outfit to 19th place, just two points behind Bologna, who hold the last position of safety.

Di Carlo could hand Algerian leftback Djamel Mesbah his Livorno debut this weekend.

Mesbah joined Livorno on loan from Parma this week.