Bologna vs Livorno preview - Pioli calm despite Rossoblu run

Posted Saturday, October 26, 2013 by PA

Bologna coach Stefano Pioli was keen to focus on the positives ahead of Sunday's home game with Livorno even though his side is the only team in Serie A still without a win this season.

The Rossoblu club have not tasted victory in a league match since May 12 when they beat Parma 2-0 and have claimed just three points out of a possible 24 so far this term.

Last weekend's 2-1 defeat at promoted Sassuolo was their third straight loss and saw Bologna slip to the bottom of the standings, two points and three places from safety.

"We are going through a delicate time," Pioli said. "But we need to be calm and be comforted by our recent performances which can only give us hope for our future games."

Bologna have struggled at both ends of the pitch, scoring just nine times while conceding 22 goals.

Fortunately for the hosts, Livorno are also going through a difficult spell.

The Amaranto travel to the Renato Dall' Ara stadium on the back of defeats to Hellas Verona, Napoli and Sampdoria.

Last weekend's 2-1 loss to Samp dropped Livorno to 14th place and piled further pressure on coach Davide Nicola.

However, Livorno president Aldo Spinelli is not ready to give up on Nicola just yet even though his team has not won since beating Catania 2-0 on September 15.

"Is Nicola in danger of losing his job? Not at all," Spinelli said. "I will evaluate the situation of the team but Nicola can be calm."

Nicola will be hoping his side can show an improvement at the defensive end, with Livorno having given away eight goals in their last three games.

The visitors will be without midfielder Leandro Greco, who is out with a right thigh injury, but welcome back midfielder Marco Biagianti.