Bologna vs Hellas Verona preview - Bologna boss backed

Posted Saturday, October 05, 2013 by PA

Bologna president Albano Guaraldi is refusing to panic even though his team go into Sunday's match against Hellas Verona without a win this season and lying 18th in the Serie A standings.

The Rossoblu have collected just three points from six games and lost 5-0 at Roma last weekend.

That defeat increased speculation that Bologna could make a coaching change and sack manager Stefano Pioli.

However, Guaraldi said to Corriere di Bologna: "I have never thought, not even remotely, about sacking Pioli. That idea is not even in the back of my mind.

"I have a lot of confidence in him and I'm sure he will do well."

Pioli, who joined Bologna in October 2011 and has ensured the team have retained their Serie A status the past two campaigns, hopes his side can bounce back immediately from last Sunday's poor showing.

"Roma were just too good for us even though we should have played better," he said. "The important thing is to put that defeat behind us and start over on Sunday against Verona."

Verona, meanwhile, followed their 2-2 draw at Torino with a 2-1 win against Livorno last time out.

The result was Verona's third straight win at the Marc' Antonio Bentegodi stadium and lifted the promoted outfit to seventh in the standings.

"This is a great victory for us," Verona coach Andrea Mandorlini said. "To have 10 points after six games is a good achievement for my team.

"We have to keep going as there is a long way to go in the season.

"It would be great to get our first win on the road this season at Bologna, even though we know it will be difficult."

Mandorlini will have all of his players available with the exception of Greek defender Evangelos Moras, who is out for a month with a muscular injury.