Palermov vs Sparta Prague Preview - Rossi revved up for Sparta

Posted Thursday, December 02, 2010 by ESPN

Palermo coach Delio Rossi expects his team to take their recent league form into the Europa League when they host Sparta Prague in a must-win clash.

The Italians head into the encounter at the Renzo Barbera stadium in buoyant mood.

Sunday's 3-1 win over Roma marked their third consecutive triumph in Serie A and lifted the Sicilian outfit to sixth in the league standings.

"My players are giving their best and the atmosphere is serene,'' said Rossi.

"There's the will by everyone to do well.

"We must keep our feet firmly on the ground because we still have a lot of work to do.''

Palermo have mustered just one win in Europe this season and only victory on Thursday will see Rossi's men keep their hopes of progressing to the round of 32 alive.

Rossi's side lies third in Group F, four points behind Sparta Prague, who need just a draw to join pool leaders CSKA Moscow in the next round.

With two rounds of games remaining, Rossi knows his team must give their all.

"We have no alternative but to win if we want to avoid an early exit from the competition,'' said Rossi. "We have struggled to show our best form in Europe but we go into this game confident we can come out triumphant.''

Sparta Prague travel to Sicily looking for their first win on Italian soil after nine failed attempts.

"Palermo are favourites heading into the game,'' said Sparta coach Jozef Chovanec.

"Their latest performances and results have been excellent.

"Their individuals are far better than ours so we must play like a team if we are to succeed.

"All we need is a point and we will look to get it tomorrow.''

The Czechs will look to build on their 3-1 win at Lausanne Sport last month that took them one step closer to qualification.

Sparta have won their last five league games and are second in the Czech Gambrinus Liga, four points behind league leaders FC Viktoria Plzen.

The host will be without suspended midfielder Antonio Nocerino and Slovenian pair Armin Bacinovic and Josip Ilicic, both not eligible to play in the competition.