Catanzaro saw off Giuliano 3-0 in a Club Friendlies fixture on Tuesday evening. The result came as no great shock given the hosts have been stringing together respectable performances in pre-season. Giuliano arrived with little momentum to speak of.
The visitors had not won any of their last five matches before this one. Three defeats and a draw painted a picture of a side that never got going. By then, Catanzaro had picked up three wins in their last five outings.
Those recent results suggest the hosts have found their rhythm. A 3-1 victory over Paradiso and back-to-back clean sheets against Monza showed stability. Giuliano, meanwhile, could not hold a tie anywhere — losses to Catania and Bari followed by a scrappy 1-1 draw.
Three goals in a friendly tells you little about quality, but the manner of the win matters. Catanzaro did not travel to make up the numbers. They held a high line and picked one up last week's form and carried it forward.
Friendly results do not alter standings, but they set the tone. Catanzaro extended their unbeaten run to five in all competitions. Giuliano's form remains a question mark for the season ahead.