Either you win or you learn a lesson: Viali's Catania has no more excuses.

These have been strange days around Catania. Like a boxer who suddenly finds himself knocked out, on the canvas, without really understanding why.

In two weeks, we went from the euphoria of 3000 Catanese almost on their way to Benevento and the real possibility of winning at Vigorito to shorten the gap to -4 from the leader… to the Campanian stadium closed to the Catanese fans and a +10 for Benevento that brought down the scaffolding on which the red and blue dream of direct promotion was built.

We went from the temptation of first place… to the realism of the playoffs.

We went from rumors about Marino, Maran, Caserta, Semplici (and whoever else you can think of)… to Altamura-Catania with Toscano in a tracksuit on the bench.

We went from winning at Altamura at the last moment… to the sacking of Mimmo Toscano.

These were not two weeks of ordinary administration. For anyone.

For the people who cheer for Catania who, with frustration and anger, watched the direct promotion slip away after having nurtured the dream for so many months.

For the club called to look beyond, to see beyond the 3 points. And to make a courageous choice.

For Mimmo Toscano, who put his heart, soul, and perhaps too much passion into it. And in my view, unjustly became a target of criticism and accusations.

Because — in my humble opinion — so much of him will remain in this Catania: because if the team has returned to being a team, the credit is also his.

The separation from Toscano was anything but simple. Because there was, and indeed there is, a bond that went beyond football by now. In 19 months side by side, coach and management, in good times and in less good times. With the stadium full and festive or with the stadium full and angry. Dinners and discussions, breakfasts and phone calls. Wins, draws, and losses. Enthusiasm and frustration. Happiness and nervousness. Purchases and sales, but only and always to improve Catania. To defend it.

Domenico Toscano laid the foundations for the Catania of the future, despite the sad ending. And there is no doubt about that.

Separating was complicated, but perhaps inevitable. To send a signal and maybe to remove any type of alibi — for everyone — in view of the playoffs.

The sacking of a coach is a sporting mourning. A collective technical failure. Shared among those who choose, those who coach, and those who play.

A Vincenzo Grella the honor and burden of the choice. Not simple. Humanly and professionally. Perhaps a risk. Perhaps a turning point. To manage to isolate oneself, detach emotionally, and reflect. Pros and cons. Of a choice that is nonetheless painful: it was the CEO who wanted Toscano with all his might, gifting the city of Catania in the summer of 2024 the best and most successful coach currently active in this league.

Deciding to end the relationship is probably Grella's most difficult decision since he has been at Catania. But it is only through these moments that one turns a corner. Because from now on, either you win or you learn a lesson.

Dozens of agents have proposed dozens of coaches. Some considered. Others less so. Some evaluated. Others less so. The choice fell on Viali, who has the strength and character to ignite the team, change the order of things, renew it (if necessary) from a tactical standpoint, and reset any type of hierarchy.

It has begun, to be honest, already from the final whistle in Benevento, another championship. To win.