Bologna vs Novara preview - Raggi calls for more from Bologna
Posted Sunday, March 04, 2012 by PA
Andrea Raggi has demanded an immediate response from his Bologna team-mates when they host relegation-threatened Novara on Sunday after last weekend's defeat to Udinese.
The Bologna defender believes his side can bounce back from their 3-1 setback - their first loss of the year - by putting in a positive performance when Novara come to town.
"We expected more from our game against Udinese," Raggi said.
"We have limitations that we have to work on and try to improve. We need to react on Sunday."
Raggi knows the importance of taking maximum points this weekend with Bologna facing a challenging week ahead.
The Rossoblu are 16th in the standings and host Scudetto contenders Juventus on Wednesday before travelling to Rome to face Lazio on March 11.
"The game against Novara is crucial in our battle to defend our Serie A status," Raggi said.
"We cannot forget that we are only four points clear of (18th-placed) Lecce and this just goes to show how difficult this season is."
Rivals Novara are also looking to make amends after last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Catania.
The result ended Novara's three-match unbeaten run and left Emiliano Mondonico's side in 19th place, nine points behind safety.
Novara have won just once on the road this season and travel to Bologna in desperate need of points.
"We are not giving up," Novara striker Marco Rigoni said.
"Our aim is to defend our Serie A status and we will fight until the end to achieve this."
Bologna coach Stefano Pioli will have all of his players available.
Novara travel to the Renato Dall'Ara stadium bolstered by the return of midfielder Francesco Marianini and striker Takayuki Morimoto from injury.
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