Chievo vs Parma preview - Marino under fire

Posted Sunday, March 06, 2011 by PA

Parma president Tommaso Ghirardi has given under-fire coach Pasquale Marino a vote of confidence ahead of their match at Chievo.

Marino's side have picked up just one win this year but Ghirardi is confident Parma will soon turn things around.

"I have said many times before that you need a coaching change only when the squad no longer follows you," Ghirardi said.

"But this is not Marino's case.

"It has been a difficult year because we started badly but we are all trying to get back on track.

"We are aware that we are entering a critical stage of the campaign.

"We had higher ambitions this season but we are all determined to improve because there are still 11 games remaining and everyone has a responsibility, not just the coach."

Parma, whose last victory was on January 9, did show an improvement last weekend.

The Gialloblu came from 2-0 down to clinch a point at Roma.

The result, courtesy of Amauri's brace, followed their 2-2 draw against Cesena and lifted Parma two places and three points clear of the drop zone.

Parma's main problem in recent weeks has been at the defensive end, with the team having given away eight goals in their last three matches.

Fortunately for Parma, Chievo have struggled in front of goal.

The Flying Donkeys, who are three points clear of Parma, have struck just three times in their last five games.

Last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Cesena was Chievo's third straight loss.

With Chievo still having to face Inter Milan, Roma, Juventus and Udinese before the end of the campaign, they know they must take as many points as possible in the next two weeks, starting on Sunday.

"Parma, like us, are fighting to avoid the drop," Chievo defender Andrea Mantovani said.

"We will have to be focused from start to finish in order to get three points."

Chievo coach Stefano Pioli will be bolstered by the return of Luca Rigoni and Bojstan Cesar from suspension.