Bortolo vs Mutti preview - Bari in hunt for survival
Posted Sunday, March 20, 2011 by PA
Struggling Bari go into the match against Chievo still scrapping for every point they can get in a desperate bid to retain their top-flight status.
Bortolo Mutti's side lie at the foot of the standings, 12 points adrift of safety with nine games remaining.
Bari's last victory was on January 6 and they have collected three points since.
Mutti knows his side will do well to avoid the drop but has urged his players to stand up and be counted, starting on Sunday against Chievo.
"We are in a difficult position," Mutti said. "But until there is no hope, we have a duty to try.
"Whatever happens, we need to give everything we have in our last nine games.
"We owe it to our fans and to ourselves."
The Galletti showed plenty of character as they held Serie A leaders AC Milan to a 1-1 draw at the San Siro last time out.
However, Bari must make a drastic improvement if they are to retain their Serie A status.
A lack of goals has been Bari's main problem this season.
They have the worst attacking line in the competition with just 16 goals scored in 29 games and have found the back of the net just twice in their last seven games.
Rivals Chievo have also struggled in front of goal.
The men from Verona have not scored in their last three league games, much to the disappointment of club coach Stefano Pioli.
"We must do better," Pioli said. "We must create goalscoring opportunities and make the most of our chances."
Chievo have mustered just two points in their last six games after a 1-0 loss to Fiorentina in the last round.
That setback dropped Chievo to 13th place, four points clear of the drop zone.
Pioli will be without defenders Marco Andreolli, Bostjan Cesar and Andrea Mantovani, all suspended, for Sunday's match at the San Nicola stadium.
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