Catania boss Walter Zenga has rubbished suggestions that a mid-week Coppa Italia semi-final against Roma is a distraction from the relegation dogfight.
The Elefanti reached the final four of the Cup for the first time in the club’s history after shocking Milan in the last 16 and squeezing past Udinese on away goals.
However, with the Sicilians just two points from the drop zone after Saturday’s defeat against Palermo, some experts feel that Wednesday’s Cup tie may be an unwelcome extra engagement.
“It can’t be an annoyance to play a Coppa Italia semi-final, otherwise what are the good things about playing football?” Zenga stressed.
“Any team would like to be in our place because every Coach lives for these kind of encounters.
“The game against Roma is important and prestigious for us and we will give it our best.”
Zenga will have to manage without star man Juan Manuel Vargas as well as Davide Baiocco, Inacio Piá, Giuseppe Colucci, Gennaro Sardo, Andrea Sottil and goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri.
