Catanzaro Edge Past Avellino With Cissé's Second-Half Strike

Catanzaro climbed the Serie B table with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over US Avellino at the Stadio Nicola Ceravolo, as Alphadjo Cissé's second-half strike separated two evenly-matched sides. The three points proved vital for the Calabrian outfit in their quest for promotion, while Avellino's struggles on the road continued with another disappointing away performance. The result highlighted the fine margins that often decide outcomes in Italy's second tier, where every point carries significant weight in the promotion and relegation battles.

The breakthrough arrived seven minutes into the second half when Cissé found the net with a well-taken finish that silenced the visiting supporters. The goal came at the perfect moment for Catanzaro, who had struggled to convert their territorial advantage into clear-cut opportunities during a cagey first 45 minutes. Cissé's celebration was muted but meaningful, as the striker understood the importance of his contribution in what had threatened to become a frustrating afternoon for the home side.

The tactical battle unfolded as a chess match between two well-organized teams, with neither side willing to commit too many players forward in the opening exchanges. Catanzaro's midfield trio, anchored by Jacopo Petriccione despite his early booking in the 20th minute, gradually gained control of the central areas. The home defense stood firm against Avellino's sporadic attacks, while the visitors' backline worked tirelessly to frustrate Catanzaro's forward players, including the industrious Filippo Pittarello, who also found his way into referee's notebook on 27 minutes.

The statistics told the story of a closely-contested affair, with Catanzaro's 55.6% possession advantage reflecting their slight edge in territorial control. The hosts managed 14 shots compared to Avellino's six attempts, though both teams registered just three efforts on target each. The physical nature of the encounter became evident through the five yellow cards brandished, with Filippo Missori picking up Avellino's first caution on 26 minutes, setting the tone for a combative 90 minutes.

The turning point arrived with Cissé's goal just after the interval, which forced Avellino to abandon their cautious approach and commit more players forward. This tactical shift opened up spaces for Catanzaro to exploit, though they couldn't find the killer second goal despite introducing fresh legs through substitutions. Patrick Nuamah and Gabriele Alesi entered the fray in the 88th minute as Catanzaro looked to see out the victory, while Avellino's triple substitution around the hour mark, bringing on Raffaele Russo, Cosimo Francesco Patierno, and later Michele Besaggio, failed to spark the equalizer they desperately needed.

The final ten minutes proved nervy for the home faithful as Avellino threw everything forward in search of a leveler. Michele Besaggio's 92nd-minute yellow card summed up the visitors' frustration, while Fabio Rispoli's late booking for Catanzaro reflected the tension as the clock ticked toward full-time. The home crowd's relief was palpable when the final whistle confirmed all three points would remain in Calabria.

Catanzaro will travel to face Bari on December 19, knowing another positive result could further enhance their promotion credentials. US Avellino host Palermo on December 20, desperately needing to turn their home form into the foundation for a climb up the Serie B standings.