The “Massimino” celebrates and breathes a sigh of relief: Catania beats Benvento 1-0 and manages to achieve salvation with a place in the playoffs guaranteed thanks to the victory in the Italian Cup. A goal from Cianci decided at the end of the first half.
Catania starts to attack the penalty area to try to break the deadlock immediately but the crossbar says ‘no’ to Castellini’s header following a corner in the 9th minute. A little later Cicerelli takes center stage with a right-footed shot that goes just over the crossbar. After a waiting first half, Benevento had a sensational chance to win the match but Bolsius wasted incredibly from the penalty spot following an assist from Masciangelo, shooting wide. A few minutes later Karic also tries but Furlan surpasses himself and has to save his goal from capitulation. Manfredini then responds on the opposite side to block Di Carmine’s two-step shot. At the end of the first half, Catania found the opening to break the deadlock: following a corner, Cianci kicked twice to overcome Manfredini and make the “Massimino” explode in a liberating scream.
In the second half little or nothing happens to talk about: Catania tries to close the score and defends itself in an orderly manner against the attacks of a Benevento team that after the hour of play switches to 4-2-3-1 to try to find the equalizer . However, the best chances come to the Etna players with Bouah and Cianci who, however, are unable to find the 2-0 lead and keep their opponents alive. Ciano enters the field for the Giallorossi and becomes the number 1 threat for the Rossazzurri defence. And one minute from the 90th minute the 10 of the Samnites sent shivers through the stadium with an impeccably designed free kick which however hit the top of the crossbar and ended up at the bottom. Nothing else happens in the six minutes of injury time and at the final whistle “Massimino” explodes with joy at the goal achieved. Catania is saved, Benevento finishes 3rd: the two teams will start again from the national phase of the playoffs to go in search of Serie B.
As usual, here are the Top & Flops of the match:
TOP
Cianci (Catania): He is the man of providence, the one who allows Catania to make the double leap (safety-playoff) thanks to the turn in the penalty area at the end of the first half. Three goals in the last 2 games played, the center forward is a candidate in view of the promotion play-offs but in the meantime tonight he gives a great gift to the city of Etna. DECISIVE
Ciano (Benevento): It takes him just over 20 minutes to get a higher grade than the others on his team. He makes the “Massimino” tremble when he draws an almost perfect parable that hits the crossbar a few minutes from the end. By far the most dangerous of him: he deserved more. BAD LUCKY
FLOP
None (Catania): A whole hearted match by the Zeoli boys who believed in it from the 1st minute and gritted their teeth until the 96th minute with several players suffering from cramps at the end of the match. The much coveted goal arrives to save a season that – in the championship – no one should have imagined like this. But it’s not over yet… MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Bolsius (Benevento): The great opportunity wasted at 0-0 is the stain on his less than unforgettable performance. An episode that probably would have changed the history of this challenge. SQUANDERER
Bolsius (Benevento):
