To say that Catania's 11th place finish was something of an anticlimax is paying huge compliment to the job done by Vincenzo Montella and his boys this season. The rookie coach had only had minimal experience as caretaker manager of Roma at the back-end of last season. Working with one of the smallest budgets in the league, Montella made some shrewd signings in the transfer market. Matias Silvestre went to Palermo and left a huge void in central defence which was plugged expertly by the experienced Nicola Legrottaglie. Another Serie A stalwart in Sergio Almiron was purchased to add power to the midfield. Montella employed a fluid 4-3-3 formation for most of the season but showed willingness to adapt by switching to a 3-5-2 on occasion which also bore fruit.
Catania's success was born mainly out of their outstanding home record. Only Udinese out of the top seven sides managed to win at Stadio Angelo Massimino and that was on the final day of the season. They weren't quite as solid on the road, often looking defensively fragile. In fact they were in quite poor form either side of the new year. Montella made the brave decision to let wantaway striker Maxi Lopez leave at the end of the transfer window without really replacing him. It proved to be a master-stroke as the team suddenly started improving in February. Instead of Lopez, who seemed to want to be the star of the show, they played with a hard working front three of Pablo Barrientos, Gonzalo Bergessio and Alejandro Gomez. None of them had the individual quality of Lopez but collectively, they were a handful for any defence. Two more clever signings helped keep things ticking over as Marco Motta looked revitalised after his arrival from Juventus and Juan Pablo Carrizo immediately installed himself as the new "Number 1" in goals. The constant in midfield was Francesco Lodi who was outstanding throughout the season with several goals and assists, including his excellent service from set-plays.
Catania went on a fabulous eight match unbeaten streak and not only secured their safety but looked to be pushing for Europe. Then the rumours about Montella's future started and their form tailed off towards the end of the season. The biggest challenge for Catania will be to keep their coach who is being courted again by several teams. However, Montella has moulded a team in his own image and may wish to continue his project.
