Hellas Verona vs Cagliari preview - Zeman calls for more of the same

Posted Friday, October 03, 2014 by PA

Cagliari coach Zdenek Zeman has called on his players to build on last weekend's stunning victory at Inter Milan when they visit Hellas Verona on Saturday.

The Sardinian outfit had collected just one point from their four opening league games but an inspired performance at San Siro saw them brush aside Inter 4-1 last Sunday.

"Our approach to the game at Inter was exceptional," Zeman said. "Three minutes into the game I was already calm because my team were showing the right mentality.

"I ask my players to show the same determination in every game.

"I have wonderful players, who train hard and never complain.

"If they continue to work as they are doing in training, I am convinced we will be able to achieve good results this season."

Cagliari travel to the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi looking to clinch their first win on the road since April 19.

The Isolani have lost all four away games since.

Hellas, meanwhile, head into the encounter on the back of a 2-0 defeat at Roma, their first loss of the campaign.

The outcome in the capital saw Verona's five-match unbeaten run in Serie A come to an end.

"We did everything we could but Roma are simply too strong," Hellas coach Andrea Mandorlini said. "You only have to see the team they have.

"(Roma's Miralem) Pjanic earns the same amount as 15 of my players combined.

"We must turn the page and focus on doing well against Cagliari."

The hosts welcome back Brazilian goalkeeper Rafael and Mexico defender Rafael Marquez.

Both players, who missed the encounter in Rome through injury, are set to start against Cagliari.

The hosts are without injured midfielders Mounir Obbadi and Jacopo Sala.

Albin Ekdal, whose hat-trick led Cagliari to triumph at Inter, will play in support of the attacking trio of Marco Sau, Victor Ibarbo and Andrea Cossu.