Bologna vs Genoa preview - Pioli confident of Bologna response
Posted Saturday, December 21, 2013 by PA
Bologna head coach Stefano Pioli continued to show faith in his beleaguered side ahead of Sunday's clash against Genoa, despite their precarious position in the Serie A table.
The Rossoblu club are 19th in the league - two points adrift of safety - and have not won since October 30, with a 3-0 defeat at Fiorentina representing their eighth loss of the campaign.
"We didn't see the true Bologna against Fiorentina," Pioli said. "I know that and so do my players.
"We are better than the football we displayed against La Viola.
"I have confidence in my players and I am certain they will prove their worth against Genoa."
Bologna will be desperate to avoid suffering a fourth defeat in six games this weekend.
"It is a delicate period but the Christmas break is around the corner and we will make the most of it," Pioli added.
"Prior to the game against Fiorentina, there have been positive aspects in our recent performances despite the results.
"Now we must keep our heads down and start to pedal.
"I am not thinking about my future, but about the task at hand."
Genoa travel to the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on the back of a 1-1 draw with Atalanta.
The Grifone looked to be heading towards their sixth win of the campaign only to concede a late equaliser which saw them settle for a point.
"This result burns," Genoa boss Gian Piero Gasperini said. "It feels like a defeat.
"We were seconds away from clinching three points and we shouldn't have given away a late goal.
"We had chances to kill the game off early on and we didn't take them.
"We have to put this defeat behind us and focus on ending the year on a high note."
Genoa have, however, lost only once in their last seven league games and are ninth in the standings.
The Grifone are without the injured trio of Juraj Kucka, Daniele Portanova and Thomas Manfredini.
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