Parma commenced the new year in the best possible way their fans could have imagined, as they thrashed Juventus 4-1 in Turin. The Ducali have been struggling for survival in the Italian top flight since the start of the season but that massive victory over the Scudetto-chasing Italian giants was supposed to be the harbinger of positive results.
Instead it has proved to be a flash in the pan as Parma have lost their last two league fixtures, going down 2-1 to Cagliari at home and then 2-0 to Brescia on the road. The poor results have pushed Pasquale Marino's side to 14th in the league standings with 22 points, same as many as Catania.
Earlier in the season Parma lost 2-1 in Catania and will be looking for revenge this weekend. However, the Gialloblu have a poor record at home, having won just three of their ten league encounters at the Ennio Tardini.
Let's Get It Started
Argentina legend and one of the notable players to have played in Italy, Diego Simeone makes his return to Calcio, this time as a coach. The 40-year-old was appointed the Catania tactician on Wednesday just hours after the Sicilian side parted company with Marco Giampaolo.
Simeone's first game in charge of a European club is going to a tough one as Catania travel to Parma in a relegation six-pointer. With just 22 points from 20 matches the Etnei are in 15th place in Serie A, just three points above the relegation zone, and have failed to win any game so far in the new year, their 1-1 draw with Chievo last weekend putting an end to their three-match losing streak.
However, those loses that Catania suffered came against Roma, Inter and Juventus, all of whom are fighting for the Scudetto. But defeats are defeats and dropping eight out of nine points this month has forced the Rossazzurri to usher in a change.
Simeone, though, is confident that he can turn around Catania's fortunes and is ready to impose his own tactics and gameplan on the team. He said at his official unveiling, "I expect the side to press up the field as high as possible, keeping tight with grit.
"The idea is to adopt a 4-3-1-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation, but I’m not too obsessed with tactics, as the attitude of the team is important.”
TEAM NEWS
Parma
Pisano is injured and Paci is suspended.
Catania
Biagianti, Morimoto and Potenza are injured and will miss the trip to Parma.
Prediction
This promises to be a tough game for the eye and is unlikely to involve many goals. Parma will commence the clash as slight favourites .
Parma 2-1 Catania 
