Paternò currently punching above its weight
By Anthony Barbagallo
So far, the 2021-22 Serie D season has proved to be a strange, exciting, and dramatic one. In Group I of Italy’s fourth division, the competitiveness at the top, the middle and bottom half of the table has never been so intense. But the most significant surprise package in Group I so far has been Paternò.
Paternò Calcio is a club located in the Province of Catania. The town of Paternò is only 25 minutes away from the city of Catania and 35 minutes from Acireale. The Rossazzurri - also donning the blue and red stripes like Calcio Catania - have been a yo-yo side throughout their entire history since 1957.
This Etnea club has bounced from the Promozione (sixth division), Eccellenza (fifth tier) and Serie D for most of the time. And despite the multiple bankruptcies along the way, Paternò enjoyed decent spells in Serie C during the 60s and early 2000s. After two years of being inactive from 2015-2017, the Rossazzurri have quickly navigated their way back to Serie D.
Paternò arrives back in Serie D for the 2020-21 season
After a dominant display in the Sicilian Eccellenza before COVID-19 suspended all regional Italian football in early 2020, Paternò secured promotion to Serie D. Despite operating on a smaller budget than most teams in Serie D’s Group I and being tipped as a relegation contender, Paternò still managed to settle in with no real adversity.
Last season, Paternò was packed with talent all over the pitch. Up front, they had a lethal and clinical striker in Davide Carioto - one of the key players that helped steer the Rossazzurri to Serie D promotion. Totò Cocuzza was also another talented forward, using his experience and acting as a mentor to Carioto. And at the heart of the defence was Fabrizio Bontempo - the seasoned centre-back.
With all the odds stacked against them, Paternò still achieved a modest finish in 12th place last season. However, for their first season back in Serie D since 2013, this decent achievement was a sign that the club stabilised its project in Serie D.
Paternò taking Group I by storm in the 2021-22 campaign
So far this season, Paternò has been living the dream. With coach Alfio Torrisi at the helm, the tactician has his Rossazzurri side playing an organised and balanced style of Calcio. This team is efficient on the counter and resilient in defence - making it hard for other Group I competitors to break down this well-drilled side.
The midfield is the heart of this current Paternò side. Alessio Rizzo, Alessandro Cangemi and Francesco Catania are key playmakers who pull the strings and set the game’s tempo. This young and dynamic midfield is what makes the Rossazzurri’s frontline so versatile - drilling through balls to strikers Gaston Camara and Agostino Mascari.
While Paternò plays an attractive brand of football in attack, this side also boasts a firm backline. Davide Dama and Fabrizio Bontempo are key personnel in the backs. Licata - one of the best goalscoring sides in Group I - struggled to put one past the Paternò defence earlier this season. And even teams like Acireale, the leaders of Group I, and Trapani had difficulty navigating through the robust wall at the back.
With 30 points in 17 games, Paternò firmly sits in 5th spot in Group I - four points off leaders and their Sicilian rivals Acireale. The Rossazzurri’s dream run is even more impressive because of their smaller budget. Paternò is currently outperforming bigger Sicilian clubs like Licata and Trapani, and they are keeping in touch with the strong sides of Gelbison, Cavese and Lamezia Terme.
Paternò is giving the 48,000 Paternesi a reason to dream. This team shows that you can play an impressive and organised style of Calcio without major Serie D stars. Coach Alfio Torrisi’s faith in youth is paying off, giving this team an identity. Paternò has a blend of raw talent and experience, and it’s giving them a realistic chance in eyeing Serie C promotion.
The last time Paternò was playing in Serie C was back in 2004. Can they keep this dream alive and keep up their tremendous performance in this season’s Serie D?