Novara vs Catania preview - Granoche `goal` still torments Tesser

Posted Sunday, October 02, 2011 by PA

Novara host Catania with coach Attilio Tesser still crying foul over the decision which cost his side a point last weekend.

A controversial offside call cost Novara an equaliser with one minute to go in their Serie A game at Atalanta.

The promoted outfit ended up losing 2-1 to drop to 15th in the standings.

Video replays suggested Pablo Granoche's goal should have been allowed though, and Tesser admits it is a bitter pill to swallow.

"The goal that would have made it 2-2 should have been allowed," Tesser said. "It's sad that mistakes like that happen because in the long run, losing points like that will hinder my team.

"We are a team that needs all the points it can get and to be denied a draw burns."

That setback proved a hammer blow following their 3-1 win against Inter Milan, their first victory of the campaign.

"We must keep working and focus on the game against Catania," Tesser said. "My team has yet to adapt to playing in Serie A and we have to continue to improve."

Novara will not be helped by injuries with Tesser having to do without pivotal defender Andrea Lisuzzo and playmaker Andrea Mazzarani for two weeks.

Both players got hurt against Atalanta. Catania travel to the Silvio Piola stadium on the back of an inspiring 1-1 draw against Juventus last time out.

With Catania having found the net just twice this season, club boss Vincenzo Montella knows his team must start to show more aggressiveness in front of goal.

"We are struggling a little bit more up front," Montella said.

"It's important that we try to make the most of our chances because we cannot always rely on our defence to come to the rescue."