Cagliari vs Chievo preview - Corini focused on Cagliari clash

Posted Saturday, May 10, 2014 by PA

Chievo coach Eugenio Corini needs no reminder of the importance of Sunday's game at Cagliari.

The men from Verona go into the clash in Sardinia one place and one point clear of the drop zone with two games remaining.

"We need to focus on our match against Cagliari and not think about the results of others," Corini said. "You only waste energy thinking about what the other teams will or will not do.

"Bologna (in 18th place) will not give up the fight to remain in Serie A.

"We hold a one-point advantage over Bologna and we simply must take a positive result in Cagliari.

"I see my players determined and focused and that is a satisfaction because the behaviour of all of them is crucial for our hopes of avoiding the drop."

Corini, a former Chievo player, expects his team to bounce back from last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Torino, their third straight loss.

The Flying Donkeys will be without striker Sergio Pellissier, who was sent off against Toro and must serve his first of a three-match ban this weekend.

The good news for Corini is that midfielder Perparim Hetemaj as well as defenders Bostjan Cesar and Nicholas Frey return from suspension.

Rivals Cagliari also head into the encounter at the Sant' Elia stadium on the back of a defeat.

Cagliari fell 3-0 at Napoli on Tuesday to concede their 15th loss of the campaign.

The Sardinian outfit are 15th in the standings heading into their last home game of the season.

"We have already defended our Serie A status and we are approaching the end of the campaign having less energy," coach Ivo Pulga said. "But on Sunday we hope to give our fans some joy by beating Chievo."

Cagliari goalkeeper Marco Silvestri is suspended this weekend and will be replaced by Vlada Avramov in goal.