Cagliari vs Bologna preview - Pioli has winning feeling

Bologna coach Stefano Pioli wants his side to follow up their long-awaited first victory of the season with another triumph against Cagliari on Wednesday as they look to climb out of the Serie A relegation zone.

The Rossoblu have endured a difficult start to the campaign but beat Livorno 1-0 on Sunday to end their unwanted record as the only team in the division yet to record a win.

The outcome lifted Bologna off the foot of the standings and into 18th place, but Pioli is not ready to settle for that.

"We really needed that win," Pioli said. "Not just for the standings but to hand my players a boost in confidence.

"But we cannot forget that this is our first victory in nine games and we have a lot of work to do.

"This is just a first step.

"We know we have a long season ahead of us and we need to be focused and prepared if we are to defend our Serie A status.

"We must build on this result and show the same hunger and determination at Cagliari."

Cagliari are unbeaten at home and stand four points clear of Bologna.

The Sardinian outfit head into the match at the Sant' Elia stadium on the back of a 2-0 loss at Lazio last time out.

Cagliari have failed to win on the road this season but coach Diego Lopez believes it is only a question of time before his side end their wait.

"For the time being we are not getting the results we deserve on our travels," he said. "But we are playing well.

"We just struggle to make the most of our chances when playing away from home.

"I know that eventually the win will come, we just have to keep working hard."

The visitors will be without striker Alessandro Diamanti, who serves a one-match ban, while defenders Jose Crespo and Marek Cech are out with muscular injuries.