Catania duo set to stay

Lopez: Staying at Catania

Catania director Pietro Lo Monaco has made it clear that manager Sinisa Mihajlovic and striker Mazi Lopez will not be leaving the club this summer.

Serbian tactician Mihajlovic has earned good reviews for the work he has done since taking charge of Catania in December.

He has lifted the club out of the relegation zone and survival looks likely despite a disappointing 3-1 defeat to bottom club Livorno last time out.

Argentine forward Lopez was brought to Catania by Mihajlovic and his performances have helped propel their strong run.

Reports have suggested that Catania will find it difficult to keep both men at the end of the season but Lo Monaco is convinced they will stay.

Reflecting on the loss to Livorno, Lo Monaco told Itasportpress.it: "We cannot read too much into the performance of the team. Most of the first team remained at home, and did not play.

Contract

"The match illustrated our weaknesses, as well as the limits of certain players.

"We await to see how we go against Juventus this weekend, as we want to play better than we did on Tuscan soil.

"I also want to declare that our coach Sinisa Mihajlovic and striker Maxi Lopez will not leave Catania. None of the two will be moving on during the summer.

"They both have a contract and this needs to be respected."