Rolando Maran: 'Catania can challenge for European spot'

Catania boss Rolando Maran has insisted that his side can challenge for a European qualification place this season.

The Elefanti secured a 2-1 win over Parma on Sunday afternoon, leaving them in seventh place, just two points behind AC Milan in third.

"It was a difficult pitch to win on and in order to do so we needed a good performance," Maran told Sky Sport Italia after the game. "We expected the reaction from Parma in the second half and we suffered a bit even though we had a few chances to close out the match."

"I believe that the win was deserved for what was seen throughout the course of the 90 minutes because we put took the pitch with the right mentality to win.

"Objectives? It is difficult to predict the future. We need continuity to build any even more ambitious squad next season. Right now we are in the right condition to play on par with any team and to fight for Europe with other sides."

Maran took over as coach of the Sicilian side in 2012.