Chievo vs Fiorentina preview - Mutu targets Euro spot

Posted Sunday, March 13, 2011 by PA

Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu is fired up for the match at Chievo with his team looking to climb up in the Serie A standings.

Mutu goes into this weekend's encounter in Verona in upbeat mood after his brace against Catania in the last round allowed the Viola to halt a run of three games without a win.

"I am physically not at 100% yet," Mutu said. "But I am improving and soon I will be at the top of my game."

Last weekend's 3-0 triumph over Catania lifted the Viola to 10th in the standings, nine points behind Roma, who hold the last European qualifying spot.

With 10 games remaining, Mutu believes his team still has a chance to aim for European football next season.

"Right now we need to focus on getting a positive run and climbing up in the standings," Mutu said.

"There are many games left to play and there is no reason why we cannot point to finish in the top six."

Fiorentina coach Sinisa Mihajlovic expects Mutu to pick up where he left off against Catania.

"Mutu is very important for us," he said. "He is finding his form and that is great news for us."

Fiorentina have won just once and lost six of their 14 games on the road this season.

Chievo, meanwhile, have collected just two points in their last five matches.

Last weekend's goalless draw against Parma halted a run of three straight defeats for Chievo.

"I am happy with the point," Chievo coach Stefano Pioli said. "At least we have stopped the haemorrhage. "Now we must do our all to return to winning ways."

Chievo lie in 13th place, five points behind Fiorentina.

Lack of goalscoring has been Chievo's main problem in recent times, with the Flying Donkeys having failed to find the back of the net in their last two matches.

The hosts will be without suspended midfielder Gelson Fernandes.