Catania vs Genoa preview - Ballardini up for Catania trip

Posted Sunday, February 27, 2011 by PA

Genoa coach Davide Ballardini has urged his team to maintain its recent momentum when it visits Catania.

Ballardini's side looked earlier this season like they would be involved in a relegation scrap following a slow start to the campaign.

However, the Grifoni have enjoyed a good run of form of late and two wins in their last three games - including an impressive 4-3 triumph over Roma last weekend - have seen them climb to 10th in the standings with 35 points from 26 games.

"We played a great game against Roma," said Ballardini. "We were down 3-0 and scored four second-half goals to clinch a crucial win.

"We have to continue on this path, knowing that Sunday's game at Catania will be difficult.

"We know that it will not be easy to return home from Sicily with three points.

"(But) if Genoa play with the same fighting spirit and grit shown against Roma, we can get a good result on Sunday."

Ballardini will have all his players available, with the exception of suspended midfielder Rafinha and injured defenders Abdoulay Konko and Jose Chico.

A win on Sunday would be a big boost in confidence for Genoa, who travel to the San Siro to face defending champions Inter Milan on March 6.

Things are not looking good for Catania, however.

Last weekend's 1-0 loss at Napoli left Diego Simeone's side one place and just three points clear of the relegation zone.

Catania have claimed just one win in their last nine league games and are the only side in Serie A that has yet to win on the road this season.

"We did the best we could against Napoli," said Simeone. "But they are one of the most in-form teams in Italy and there was little my players could have done differently.

"We are getting close to clinching that vital first win on the road but for the time being, we must make the most of our home games."

Simeone will be forced to make some changes to his team with Ciro Capuano, Mariano Izco, Giuseppe Bellusci and Marco Biagianti sidelined through injury, while defender Nicolas Spolli serves a one-match ban this weekend.