Catanzaro vs Sudtirol – News and Probable Lineups

After narrowly missing promotion last season, Catanzaro is set to return to competitive play on Saturday, as they take on Sudtirol in the first round of the Coppa Italia.

The Giallorossi were unable to advance from the Serie B playoffs, thus must now embark on a new second-tier campaign, starting alongside their cup rivals.

Match overview

Having concluded the previous season in fifth place, Catanzaro fought their way to a two-legged playoff final, but unfortunately fell short of earning a place in Serie A.

The Giallorossi lost the opening leg 2-0 but fought back to secure a 2-0 win at Monza shortly after; however, the latter achieved promotion due to higher standings in the regular season.

Head coach Alberto Aquilani has since transitioned to Sassuolo in the top division, leaving the new manager Giorgio Gorgone with the challenge of advancing further in the upcoming spring.

With a few friendly victories against lower division teams under their belt, Catanzaro is now ready to host Sudtirol at Stadio Nicola Ceravolo, just prior to facing Vicenza in their Serie B opening match.

A win in Gorgone’s first competitive match would set the Calabrian team up against either Ascoli or Genoa in the second round of the Coppa Italia, slated for early September.

While Catanzaro has previously experienced life in Serie A, Sudtirol remains yet to reach that level amid a history largely spent in amateur ranks.

Currently, the Tyrolean club is competing above expectations in Italy’s second tier, having maintained their position for four consecutive years since promotion from Serie C.

Last season, Sudtirol garnered four points across two league encounters with Catanzaro, ending with a 1-1 draw away before clinching a 2-1 victory at home in late January.

Initially linked to Gorgone, they ultimately opted for Davide Possanzini as the new manager following Fabrizio Castori’s departure earlier this summer. His squad remains unbeaten throughout pre-season.

Possanzini, known for implementing a Roberto De Zerbi-style approach after working with the Tottenham Hotspur manager for seven years, may lead to an exciting campaign under his stewardship, beginning with Saturday’s cup match in Calabria.

Team News

With both teams under new management and looking forward to their first Serie B matches, predicting each side’s lineup becomes challenging.

New summer recruits like Antonio Candela and Simone Pafundi may feature for Catanzaro, with club captain Pietro Iemmello and last year’s top scorer Filippo Pittarello spearheading the attack.

On the other hand, Sudtirol has recruited goalkeeper Alessandro Plizzari and winger Bjarki Bjarkason from Venezia, and both are expected to participate this weekend.

Captain Daniele Casiraghi will likely coordinate activities in central midfield; although Emanuele Pecorino was last season’s leading scorer, he has returned to Juventus, so Silvio Merkaj might take the striker position.

Catanzaro probable starting XI:

Pigliacelli; Ruggero, Antonini, Verrengia; Candela, Petriccione, Alesi, D’Alessandro; Pafundi; Iemmello, Pittarello

Sudtirol probable starting XI:

Plizzari; Molina, Pietrangeli, Stabile, Veroli; Martini, Casiraghi; Bjarkason, Vasic, Zedadka; Merkaj

The home side has assembled a formidable attacking formation, suggesting that after narrowly missing promotion in May, they can start strong this new season.

Having been eliminated in the first round last year, Sudtirol faces challenges with their lengthy trip south and may be in store for another premature exit.