Bologna vs Cesena preview - Di Vaio in fan plea

Bologna striker Marco Di Vaio has called for the fans to play their part as they host relegation battlers Cesena.

The Rossoblu go into the encounter at the Renato Dall' Ara stadium hoping to avoid their fourth straight Serie A slip-up.

Bologna have struggled to find their winning touch of late with defeats against Brescia, Napoli and Chievo seeing them drop to 12th in the standings.

"The contribution of the fans will be fundamental for us to return to victory," Di Vaio said.

"We will have to be extremely focused against Cesena.

"We spent all of our energy in securing our Serie A status last month and I think we are now feeling the effects.

"But we have to try and give our supporters more satisfaction and we hope we can do that on Saturday."

Bologna have lost just three times at home this season but they will be wary of facing Cesena, who appear to have found their form at the right time.

Cesena followed their draws against Fiorentina and Palermo with a 1-0 win over Bari last time out.

Erjon Bogdani's goal allowed the promoted outfit to leapfrog Sampdoria in the standings and hold the last safety position.

"We knew that in order to win we had to suffer," said Cesena coach Massimo Ficcadenti.

"These are very difficult games, especially from a psychological point of view.

"We have gained a crucial result in our battle to avoid the drop and this will no doubt motivate my players.

"We have taken a step forward and we know that our hopes of defending our Serie A status are in our hands."

Cesena are one place and two points clear of 18th-placed Sampdoria with five games remaining.

The visitors will be bolstered by the return of Steve Von Bergen, Alex Calderoni and Fabio Caserta from suspension.