Catanai chief Lo Monaco stands by Atzori

Catania chief Pietro Lo Monaco insists coach Gianluca Atzori is safe.

Lo Monaco was spotted in conversation with former Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic in recent days.

Speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, Lo Monaco said: “We're going forward with Atzori. We will always assist him. We are going through an ugly moment and that is without doubt.

“We play well. In 11 games no one has outclassed us. Even on Sunday in Florence it seemed as if we would win the game from one moment to another. Then the referee got involved and we lost.

“Anyway, certain incidents have penalised us. Our position in the table is a lie. Seven points are too few and now it's really difficult to climb back up the slope.

“On Saturday we face Napoli who have done great things in the last four games.”