Spezia must shake off the hangover of last season’s play-off final defeat in order get their campaign up and running when they host Catanzaro on Saturday.

The agonising loss to Cremonese back in June – 3-2 at the Alberto Picco, after trailing 3-0 when a draw would have been enough – may have played a part in their lacklustre start last weekend.

The 2-0 home defeat by Carrarese was a surprise to say the least. Not many expected Antonio Calabro’s men to take alll three points, but they did thanks to two goals from midfielder Nicolas Schiavi. 

One was a controversial penalty that was calmly dispatched, the other a sumptuous angled drive from the edge of the box in the second half.

Spezia boss Luca D’Angelo was forthright in his assessment, saying: “We started well but then we got stretched and the opponents countered effectively. 

“They were dangerous with the chance that hit the crossbar, while we had a goal-scoring opportunity cleared off the line. Then came the red card (for Rachid Kouda) and the penalty, but we held on well in the second half. Schiavi’s second goal sealed the game.”

Meanwhile, Catanzaro started the new campaign as they finished the regular part of the last, with a draw. 

Manager Alberto Aquilani secured a point thanks to a goal from the usual source, Pietro Iemmello, with half an hour remaining of the home clash with Sudtirol. 

Yet Iemmello was not satisfied. “We all need to raise the bar. I’m tired of chasing at 33 [years-old] after two play-off semi-finals,” said the captain. 

“I’d like to see Catanzaro with a team capable of moving forward and doing better than in recent seasons. 

“We started the training camp with great enthusiasm, with a coach who integrated immediately. And yet we’re still here chasing, with a packed stadium…”

Iemmello clearly wants to see an improvement in the starting XI, and the club could make a move or two in the final days of the transfer window.

Spezia bested Catanzaro across two legs in the play-offs last season, but the Ligurian side are a different beast now without the goals of Francesco Pio Esposito, who returned to Inter.

It will be up to Gabriele Artistico, Edoardo Soleri and Giuseppe Di Serio to make up for the shortfall.

Moreover, perhaps the psychological blow of losing the play-off final in the manner they did will play a huge role in their season.

This match is a challenge between two wounded animals. Two sides hoping to repeat the successes of last season but who are still trying to pick themselves up to go again.

It makes for an intriguing contest at the Picco, and Spezia won’t want two consecutive home games to end in defeat. Or D’Angelo could be under pressure already.

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