Parma vs US Sassuolo Calcio preview - Di Francesco defiant

Posted Saturday, October 05, 2013 by PA

Sassuolo coach Eusebio Di Francesco feels he still has the full backing of the club and his players despite the team's dismal run of form.

The promoted outfit lie at the foot of the Serie A standings ahead of Sunday's game at Parma.

Di Francesco has failed to deliver a victory in six attempts this season but the coach has no intention of throwing in the towel.

"Since I started doing this job, I have always felt under scrutiny," he said. "It's one of the symptoms of being in this profession.

"But this club has always made me feel as though I have their full support."

Sassuolo have made progress since their 7-0 home humiliation at the hands of Inter Milan last month.

They held Napoli to a 1-1 result to earn their first point of the campaign before they hit back from two goals down for a 2-2 draw against Lazio last Sunday.

"My team never stopped fighting even when we were 2-0 down and that is a positive sign," Di Francesco said.

Sassuolo still have plenty of room for improvement as they have the leakiest defence in the competition with 18 goals conceded and one of the worst attacks, with just four goals netted.

"We still have a lot of work to do," Di Francesco said.

"Our aim this season is to avoid the drop and we know that in order for that to happen we must start winning games."

Rivals Parma go into the contest on the back of last weekend's 2-2 draw at Fiorentina.

The Ducale club trailed 2-1 before Massimo Gobbi's stoppage-time equaliser earned Parma an important point.

"It was a strong performance that gives us morale and confidence," Parma coach Roberto Donadoni said.

The result lifted Parma to 14th place. Donadoni's men, who have won just one game so far, welcome back striker Carvalho Amauri from suspension this weekend.