Torino vs Catania preview - Ventura issues warning to Catania

Posted Saturday, November 23, 2013 by PA

Torino head coach Giampiero Ventura has warned Catania to expect a battle when the two sides meet at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

The Granata lost 2-1 at Cagliari, their fourth defeat of the Serie A campaign, in the last round of Serie A fixtures before the international break.

Torino are therefore desperate to return to winning ways and have not tasted victory since September 22, collecting only five points since then.

"The last two weeks have allowed us to prepare fully for Catania and I see my players have great desire to win," Ventura said. "It is important to go into every game with a winning spirit.

"Catania will arrive in Turin with the aim of taking home some important points but we are very determined to do well in front of our own fans."

Torino have won just once at home this season and sit 14th in the table, just three points clear of the drop zone.

Catania, meanwhile, will look to pick up where they left off in their 1-0 victory over Udinese as they look to clinch their first win on the road this season.

"The win against Udinese has given us a huge boost in confidence," said Catania midfielder Tiberio Guarente. "Fortune had abandoned us before that game.

"We now hope to emulate the performance against Udinese when playing away from home and show the same fighting spirit that we displayed in our last game."

The Udinese win allowed the Sicilians to end a dismal run of form which had seen them take just two points from their previous five league games.

Luigi De Canio's side are 19th in the standings and one point adrift of safety.