Palermo vs Chievo preview - Di Carlo given Sartori backing

Posted Sunday, September 30, 2012 by PA

Chievo sporting director Giovanni Sartori has given head coach Domenico Di Carlo a vote of confidence ahead of Sunday's trip to Palermo.

Following a convincing opening-day victory over Bologna, Di Carlo's men have lost four games on the spin and heavy pressure is mounting to reverse the chronic slide towards the Serie A relegation zone.

Sartori recognises the urgency of Chievo's situation but does not hold the former Sampdoria boss wholly accountable for a disappointing start to the new campaign.

He told the Gazzetta dello Sport: "We have to rekindle the spirit that we lost against Parma, Lazio and Juventus. I saw that we were better against Inter Milan, though.

"The coach is not responsible. Perhaps at the start of the season we were a bit deluded that we could go out there and enjoy ourselves in the pursuit of results.

"But we were wrong to think that. Chievo must return to being humble and workmanlike.

"When we've done that we can start thinking of trying something different, but not before.

"The squad we have is limited to playing in a certain way so that is the path we must follow.

"We must start collecting points as soon as possible so we can find time to catch our breath."

Having scored just once since the opening day, Chievo will take heart from remembering a 4-4 thriller at the Renzo Barbera last season.

If Di Carlo is worried about his long-term future in Verona, he should spare a thought for new Palermo boss Gian Piero Gasperini.

The ex-Inter coach has lost his first two matches in charge since replacing Giuseppe Sannino last week.

Sannino became the first managerial casualty of the new season and was the 41st coach dismissed by Rosanero president Maurizio Zamparini since he entered football 25 years ago.

Pietro Lo Monaco has now been installed as the club's chief executive, with Zamparini hoping that Genoa's former general manager can bring a steadier hand to hiring and firing.

"If you want to talk about the next six months, speak only with Lo Monaco, because he is the representative of the new Palermo," Zamparini told reporters.

"My image does more harm than good to this football club. I am asking a lot of Lo Monaco, but I have faith in him."

Defender Ezequiel Munoz and attacking midfielder Josip Ilicic are injury doubts for the league's bottom club.