Catania aim for perfection against Juve

Catania manager Marco Giampaolo admits his side must be ‘perfect’ to beat Juventus in their Serie A clash on Sunday.

With the match to be played at the Stadio Massimino, Catania will give themselves a chance as they are unbeaten in seven games at home this season and have conceded just three goals.

But Giampaolo is not assuming his side’s excellent home record will continue and is wary of the threat Juventus will pose.

“We must focus on team spirit to make up the gap in quality,” Giampaolo said.

“We have to be tactically perfect and always push forward when we have the ball.”

With the match being the only Sunday night fixture in Italy and to be screened on television around the world, the 43-year-old Swiss manager said his players would be ready and is quietly confident of gaining at least a point.

“It’s not hard to motivate my players for this game, so we can concentrate on the details in training,” he said.

“I am confident as I have faith in my players, especially the strikers.”

Giampaolo’s side will face a Juventus team who are sure to be fired up after being dumped out of the Europa League by Lech Poznan on Wednesday.

They drew 1-1 in freezing conditions in Poland, meaning it was their fifth Europa League draw in succession and not enough to see them through to the round of 32, despite there being one match still to play in the group stage.

Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero said although the exit was disappointing, it gives his side a chance to focus on winning the Serie A title.

“It’s a shame. We are very disappointed as we didn’t expect to go out so early in the competition,” Del Piero said.

“We now must focus on the league. We are in a good position in the standings and we can still compete for the scudetto.”

Juve coach Luigi Delneri is well aware of the threat Catania will pose on Sunday.

“Catania is a difficult place to play because of their quality and the great atmosphere provided by the crowd. They have real pace and are well-trained by Marco Giampaolo, particularly intense on home turf,” he said.

“We must go into away games in order to win, as it’s the only way we can stay tied to the top teams. Now we must focus on Serie A, as this Juve side is capable of challenging with the leading clubs.”

Catania will hope to build on a credible 1-1 draw away at second-placed Lazio last weekend but will need to snap Juve’s 14-match unbeaten streak in all competitions if they are to win.