Palermo vs Cesena preview - Guana urges side to stay positive

Posted Saturday, December 10, 2011 by PA

Cesena midfielder Roberto Guana believes his team must travel to Sicily with confidence in their ability, despite their lowly position, for their Serie A match against Palermo.

The Cavalucci Marini, currently 19th in the standings and five points adrift of safety, slumped to a fifth away defeat of the season at Juventus last week.

Cesena lost 2-0 in Turin but Guana knows his team must focus on the positives ahead of their game at La Favorita.

"We will look to pick ourselves up with the good aspects of the game in Turin," Guana said.

"At certain times we were able to put Juventus in danger.

"This weekend against Palermo, we need to show a similar attitude.

"We must be aware of our possibilities and look to maintain our concentration at all times."

Guana, who played two seasons at Palermo, is aware of the challenge his side face against his former club.

"Palermo play really well at home," he said. "It's going to be a very difficult game but we must remain positive and believe in ourselves."

Palermo have won all of their games at home and will fancy their chances against a Cesena side that has the worst attacking line in the competition with just six goals scored so far.

Devis Mangia's side head into the encounter on the back of a goalless draw at Parma that left Palermo in sixth place, level on 20 points with Napoli.

The visitors will be without suspended goalkeeper Luca Antonioli.

Antonioli was sent off in last weekend's game and Nicola Ravaglia will take his place in goal.

To complicate matters for Cesena coach Daniele Arrigoni, captain Giuseppe Colucci has been ruled out until the new year with a knee problem.