Preview: Siena – Catania

By: Matthew | October 24th, 2008

The Stadio Artemio Franchi will host the first match of Serie A’s week 8, with the high-flying surprise package Catania making the trip to the heart of Tuscany for the 5pm Saturday kick off.

Catania are shocking the Serie A world at the moment gaining surprise results left-right and centre. Last week’s derby win over Palermo maintained their 100per cent home record as well as adding justification to their lofty 3rd place league position, however, this week they face an entirely different obstacle…

What is interesting is that by looking at the table the casual fan will see this as a match between two sides that are on form and making ample progress on last year’s positions. However even the casual fan can see that the start of this season has been one of the most unpredictable in recent memory, and that is why I refuse to view this match as anything other than a battle for safety, and although I ultimately believe that both teams will stay up, it is games such as these which both teams need to win… especially Siena.

The boys are back from Genoa with nothing to show for their efforts, but it was to be expected as i Grifoni were one of several sides boasting an impressive home league record this season. What is welcome news for La Robur is that they are back on home soil and one which has proved nothing if fruitfull for them this season. Whilst I Bianconeri cannot match the perfect home record held by Zenga’s men, they still remain undefeated having claimed seven of their eight points their this season. What is more impressive is the form of the back five. Gianluca Curci has marshalled his backline to perfection so far with them yet to conceed a goal, and in doing so a real fortress feeling has been built.

If Catania are going to attempt to siege the fortress then they will happily welcome back their top scorer Michele Paolucci. The young Juventus-owned striker will be eager to get stuck in having missed last week’s derby, whilst Siena will still be without Codrea who has been instrumental in breaking down the opposition’s midfield.

The Saturday kick off also looks to be a blessing in disguise as it will offer the lads a further days rest before the rocky trip up to the red and black side of the San Siro on Wednesday.