Parma vs Catania preview - Peruzzi: Don't rule out Catania

Posted Saturday, February 08, 2014 by PA

Catania defender Gino Peruzzi knows Parma are favourites to win on Sunday but he believes a victory for his side is not out of the question.

The Sicilians go into the encounter on the back of last weekend's 3-3 draw with Livorno and sit bottom of the Serie A table, three points adrift of safety. They have taken just one point from the 33 available on the road this season.

They now tackle a Parma side that have won their last four league games while losing only twice at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in the current campaign.

"We have to play like a team, be organised at the back and hit them on the break," Peruzzi said. "We will try to play our game even though it will not be easy against them.

"It is going to be very difficult because Parma are doing a great job.

"We need to be focused for 90 minutes, make the most of our chances in order to bring home three points."

Catania will be without goalkeeper Alberto Frison, who is out for three weeks with a muscular injury.

The good news for Catania coach Rolando Maran is that defender Pablo Alvarez will return to action having been sidelined for a month with a muscular problem.

Maran will have to watch the game from the stands as he serves a one-match touchline ban.

Parma, coached by Roberto Donadoni, head into the match fully rested after their game at Roma at the weekend was abandoned after eight minutes because of a waterlogged pitch, without a goal being scored.

The Gialloblu are riding an 11-match winning run in Serie A and are eighth in the standings, three points behind Hellas Verona, who are fifth and holding onto the last Europa League qualifying spot.

Parma midfielder Jonathan Biabiany will have an extra spring in his step having signed a three-year contract extension which will keep him at the Ducale club through June 2018.

Biabiany was a reported target of AC Milan and Lazio in the winter transfer market put opted to remain at Parma.