Pisa Edge Past Catanzaro in Series B Opener
Pisa saw off Catanzaro 2:1 at Arena Garoldi in Serie B's Regular Season round two. The hosts claimed their first victory of the campaign, moving to three points from two matches and sitting ten in the table. Catanzaro remain winless after two outings and occupy eighteenth place.
It was Catanzaro who struck first. At twenty-two minutes P. Iemmello found the net, but Pisa responded quickly. S. Canestrelli levelled at twenty-eight and G. Leone gave the hosts the lead thirty minutes in. The visitors were denied a late equaliser when N. Mosti's effort was ruled out by VAR at seventy-one.
Pisa created more clear-cut opportunities, pulling off five big chances against two for the visitors. The hosts also registered nine shots on target to Catanzaro's seven, though possession favoured the away side at fifty-five per cent. Catanzaro pressed hard but could not carve open the defence consistently enough.
Both managers made several changes as the match wore on. Catanzaro brought on M. D'Alessandro early at nine minutes, while Pisa introduced four players in the seventy-ninth minute. S. Zanon and M. Leris came off for Pisa at sixty-five, and M. Ruggero entered at sixty-eight.
Discipline was tested throughout. Five yellow cards were shown in total, starting with S. Zanon at thirty-nine and concluding with M. Antonini at ninety-three. Neither side received a red card despite the tension building in the closing stages.
The result ends a winless run for Pisa after a draw with Empoli and a defeat to Padova in their previous two outings. For Catanzaro, it extends an unfortunate start that includes losses to Vicenza and South Tyrol. The hosts now hold a psychological advantage going into their next fixture.
Pisa's performance suggested they can compete at this level. They controlled their chances better and showed composure after going behind. Catanzaro will need to find more efficiency if they are to climb out of the bottom half.
