Catania, what a shame: plays well but loses badly and Benevento escapes

If Catania had always played like this, as they did against Benevento until the final 2-1 by Mignani, they wouldn't be chasing. High midfield, pressure on the ball carrier, continuous running, recoveries at the right times when it came to limiting Maita, closely watched especially by Di Noia while he was on the field.

The team of Toscano had the right approach to the match, unlocking it with the giant Lunetta from a cross by Donnarumma, legitimizing attempts in the attacking third and their ability to break the plays of the league leaders.

But the witches equalized almost immediately and in the only possible way: from a set piece. Even in the second half, the rossazzurri really risked very little from organized play, so much so that in the end Toscano first brought in Caturano for 30 minutes, then even ordered a 4-2-4 with Bruzzaniti on the field in the last 10 minutes plus stoppage time.

From a mistake by Casasola in the disengagement phase, with an easily manageable ball, the winning goal for the home team was born. Then Donnarumma also kept Mignani in play during the winning goal. In some ways, it wasn't so deserved based on the values expressed on the field.

But the league leaders ran until the end and today practically closed the discussion on the first place, distancing the rossazzurri by ten points that will almost certainly not be recoverable. In fact, the crowd celebrated as if they had won the championship with this 2-1. And perhaps in the end, it will end up like this.

The match report

Benevento-Catania 2-1

Benevento (4-2-3-1): Vannucchi 6.5; Pierozzi 6.5, Scognamillo 6.5, Saio 6, Ceresoli 6 (from 44’ s.t. Borghini n.e.); Prisco 6.5 (from 44’ s.t. Talia n.e.), Maita 6.5; Lamesta 7 (from 34’ s.t. Kouan n.e.), Tumminello 6.5 (from 34’ s.t. Mignani 7), Della Morte 6.5 (from 25’ Caldirola 6); Salvemini 5.5. Bench: Russo, Esposito, Siena, Carfora, Manconi, Celia, Romano. Coach: Floro Flores 6.

Catania (3-4-2-1): Dini 6.5; Ierardi 7, Miceli 7, Pieraccini 7 (from 36’ s.t. Bruzzaniti n.e.); Casasola 5, Quaini 6.5, Di Noia 6.5 (from 16’ s.t. Di Tacchio), Donnarumma 7; Jimenez 7 (from 21’s.t. Caturano), D’Ausilio 7; Lunetta 7.5. Bench: Bethers, Coco, Celli, Allegretto, Ponsi, Raimo, Doni, Cargnelutti, Corbari. Coach: Toscano 6.

Referee: Drigo from Portogruaro 7 (Della Mea and Russo).

Goals: Lunetta at 22’, Lamesta at 25’ first half; Mignani at 41’ second half.

Notes: approximately 12,000 spectators.

Yellow cards: Della Morte, Di Noia, Casasola, Quaini, Pieraccini, Pierozzi. Corners 1-4.