Cesena vs Hellas Verona preview - Lucchini: We must get back on song

Cesena defender Stefano Lucchini admits his side are hungry to end their winless run against Hellas Verona on Monday.

The Cavallucci Marini have not won since beating Parma 1-0 on the opening day of the campaign on August 31.

Wednesday's 2-0 loss at Roma was Cesena's third straight defeat and dropped Pierpaolo Bisoli's side into the relegation zone in 18th place.

"We need to return to winning ways as soon as possible," Lucchini told the Italian media. "Against Roma we played well and could have taken a point had we made the most of our chances.

"We create opportunities but we struggle to put them away.

"We must prepare in the best possible way for the game against Hellas and take three points."

Cesena have lost just once at the Dino Manuzzi stadium this season, a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan last weekend.

Rivals Hellas held Lazio to a 1-1 draw on Thursday to climb to 11th place.

The outcome followed their 6-2 humiliation at Napoli in the previous round.

Italian veteran striker Luca Toni scored his second goal of the season when he struck the equaliser from the penalty spot to earn Hellas a point.

Toni had failed to score in his team's previous six league games.

"It was important for us to get a point after our disappointing performance at Napoli," Toni said to the Italian media. "We are satisfied with the result against a Lazio side that came here riding a four-match winning run.

"Of course, I'm delighted to have scored again but the important thing is that we got a positive result.

"Now we must focus on our next game."

Hellas, coached by Andrea Mandorlini, have won just one of their last six games and travel to Cesena looking for their second victory on the road.

The hosts are without goalkeeper Nicola Leali, who is suspended.

Federico Agliardi will take his place in goal.

Moreover, Bisoli will be without striker Guido Marilungo, who will be out of action until next year with a muscular injury.