Cagliari vs Torino preview - Lopez aware of Cerci threat
Posted Sunday, November 10, 2013 by PA
Cagliari coach Diego Lopez has highlighted the goal threat posed by Torino winger Alessio Cerci ahead of Sunday's game at the Stadio Sant' Elia.
Cerci has scored eight of Toro's 17 goals this season, including one as part of a fine individual display against leaders Roma last weekend.
Cerci is the second top scorer in Italy's top flight behind Fiorentina's Giuseppe Rossi after 11 games played.
"We cannot afford to make any mistakes on Sunday," Lopez said. "Torino have a very dangerous attack and if we give Cerci a chance, he will punish us.
"We are not inferior to any rival and we will go into the game determined to take three points."
The Sardinian outfit fell 2-1 at Hellas Verona last time out, their third straight loss.
Cagliari have won just one of their last 10 games and lie 15th in the standings.
"We need to give all that we have against Torino and make sure we make the most of our chances," Lopez said.
Lack of goalscoring has been Cagliari's main problem with Lopez's side having found the net just once in their last three games.
Torino travel to Sardinia looking for their first win since September 22.
The Granata have collected five points since then.
Giampiero Ventura's men head into the clash inspired by last weekend's 1-1 draw which ruined Roma's 100% start and lifted them to 12th place.
"We really needed something positive in order to lift the morale of the team," Ventura said. "To have achieved something which other teams have not done, that is to hold a fantastic side like Roma to a draw, makes us proud.
"We played a great game against them and we deserved the result."
The hosts will be bolstered by the return of midfielder Andrea Cossu and striker Mauricio Pinilla from injury.
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