Bari 0-0 Catania: Exciting Game Ends All Even At The San Nicola

Bari and Catania shared the spoils in Serie A's anticipo at the San Nicola on Saturday night. Despite several good chances being created at both ends, the game was ultimately decided by poor finishing rather than goals.

A minute’s silence was observed before kick off in remembrance of those who lost their lives during the recent storms which have affected southern Italy, in particular Messina in Sicily, north east of Catania.

The game started off with a high tempo. Cristian Llama took the initiative early on as Catania showed themselves coming forward. The Argentinean beat Andrea Ranocchia and Andrea Masiello down the wing. He saw Takayuki Morimoto’s run into the box and crossed for him, but Jean-Francois Gillet beat the Japanese forward to the ball.

Early play was at times scrappy. Llama should have done better when he was presented with a good opening from Morimoto. Giuseppe Mascara did well getting forward and fed the Japanese-born striker who saw Llama free on the edge of the box and teed him up. However, the midfielder’s strike was central, high and failed to trouble Gillet.

The Galletti were shy going forwards. South American duo Emanuel Rivas and Barreto linked up well. The midfielder showed glimpses of magic down the wing as he beat Giuseppe Bellusci. He swung in a pin point cross for the Brazilian striker who went for glory, but his acrobatics were less than perfect as Mariano Andujar saw the ball go wide.

Neither side had any reason to boast. Adrian Ricchiuti pounced on a loose ball for Catania following Ranocchia’s failed clearance, but his shot was somewhat wide of the target. The midfielder’s presence was hurting Bari, unlike his finishing as another effort was smashed wide. The Etnei, who have been struggling in the relegation zone, seemed hungry and had more intent about their play. Bari on the other hand seemed labored going forward and created little as possession was often given away during the early exchanges.

While chances for the home side were limited, Giampiero Ventura’s men showed all their class and fluency when Barreto back-heeled towards Vitali Kutuzov. The hitman took a touch and fired towards the far post as Andujar rushed out, the keeper was well beaten, but the ball flew past the wrong side of the upright and bounced off the advertising boards.

The chance clearly lifted Bari. Kutuzov and Andujar were at the center of the action again. The Catania goalkeeper gifted the ball to the striker who was on the edge of the box. He shrugged off a challenge from Nicolas Spolli and fired towards the net, only to see his effort bounce-back off the post.


The home side hadn’t scored for 252 minutes coming into the game and it was easy to see why. Massimo Donati opened up space for Rivas on the left. He did well to see Barreto’s run and cut it back to him. The Brazilian was odds on to score with just the ‘keeper to beat. However, he was just too casual and fired a poor effort at Andujar who was grateful to clutch the ball.

Ventura’s men continued from where they had left off in the second half. Edgar Alvarez showed more than just speed on the wing as he put in a dangerous cross-shot. Andujar looked uncertain, and was almost made to pay as he misjudged the flight of the ball as it headed towards the far post, but made up for it with a good save.

Down the other end, Llama worked a nice one-two with Ricchiuti who fired another shot towards goal. It was better this time as Gillet panicked. Bari were fortunate to see the ball go over by a whisker as the Belgian ‘keeper was beaten at his near post. Llama, so good at creating chances, was only kept away from scoring from his inaccurate shooting. The midfielder beat three men on his way to goal, only to blaze his effort wide again.

Bari should have won the game late on. Riccardo Meggiorini showed all of his prowess as he controlled the ball superbly from Rivas' cross. He left Spolli for dead as he waltzed into the box, unleashing a powerful drive. Andujar stood firm and parried. Meggiorini crossed in again from the rebound, but Alvarez headed over from point blank range. It's as you were for both teams as Catania fail to climb out of the relegation zone, while Bari stay mid-table.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com