Cagliari vs Chievo preview - Ficcadenti: We're not safe yet

Posted Saturday, April 28, 2012 by PA

Cagliari coach Massimo Ficcadenti has warned his players ahead of the game against Chievo that relegation is still a threat.

The Sardinian outfit bounced back from defeats to Bologna and Parma with a 3-0 triumph over Catania on Wednesday.

That result lifted Cagliari to 14th in the standings, six points above the drop zone with four games remaining.

However, Ficcadenti does not want his men to ease up.

"Nothing is done yet and the teams below us will still try to overhaul us," he said.

"There are still 12 points up for grabs and we know that a win against Chievo would boost our chances of remaining in the top flight next season.

"But until we can be 100 per cent certain that we will avoid the drop, we cannot make the mistake of thinking we are safe.

"Anything can happen in the last four games and we must take it one game at a time.

"Right now our only focus is on beating Chievo, which will be no easy task."

Saturday's game will be played in the northern Italian city of Trieste instead of Cagliari due to a dispute between the club and the local council over the renovation of the Sant' Elia stadium.

Cagliari can expect no favours from a Chievo side that travels to the Nereo Rocco stadium knowing that a win would be enough to ensure Serie A football next season.

"We are one step away from achieving our aim of avoiding the drop," Chievo coach Domenico Di Carlo said. "I think 45 points will be sufficient to defend our Serie A status."

Chievo, who have collected 43 points so far, lost 1-0 at Atalanta in the last round to drop to 11th in the standings, eight points clear of the relegation zone.

The men from Verona have failed to score in their last three games and will be hoping attacking pair Sergio Pellissier and Alberto Paloschi can deliver up front.

The visitors must overcome the absence of Slovenian defender Bostjan Cesar, who must serve a one-match ban.