Football Season Guide

After the last two seasons, when they had to change the coach in the middle of the race, for they were dangerously falling towards the abyss of relegation, Catania hope to have made the right choice with Montella, whose experience in Serie A is limited to a few months in Roma as Ranieri's replacement. The new manager is likely to adopt an offensive 4-3-3 formation, a style of play which has become familiar in Catania since the times when Mihajlovic was in charge. Simeone too had used it in order to reach safety while Giampaolo had preferred to go for a more cautious attitude and it cost him his job. As for the transfer campaign, there was one major loss, centre-back Silvestre left for Palermo, and several minor, but not secondary, ones, such as Bergessio's, Carboni's and Martinho's. Thus, with Andujar confirmed in goals Potenza could become the new regular centre-back, together with Spolli, while Alvarez and Capuano would be the full-backs. For the midfield, Montella hopes to be able to count on Biagianti, who spent the past season recovering from a long-lasting injury, Lodi, who had been fundamental for Simeone, and the newly-arrived Paglialunga, as long as he manages to get accustomed to the new league. The real rebus is going to be represented by the attack. Key striker Maxi Lopez is said to be about to quit, while Morimoto and Bergessio already did. Suazo, who spent the last season mostly in the stands, Lanzafame, who ended up relegated with Brescia, and Keko, who is only a promise so far, will not be enough if Lopez really goes. Thus, the feeling is that the transfer season is not over yet for Catania.