Chievo vs AS Roma preview - Sharpen up, demands Garcia

Roma coach Rudi Garcia has called on his players to sharpen their focus and win Sunday's match at Chievo in order to strengthen their grip on second place.

The Giallorossi have drawn their last three Serie A games, including Monday's 1-1 draw with Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico, to complicate their hopes of winning the Scudetto this season.

The outcome in Rome left the Garcia's men nine points adrift of league leaders Juve with 13 games remaining.

Roma travel to Verona this weekend holding a four-point advantage over third-placed Napoli.

"There are many games left to play and we must defend second place," Garcia told the Italian media. "The draw against Juve was a good result for us and allowed us to gain a point over Napoli.

"There are many points still up for grabs and things can change in the table."

Roma have won just one of their last eight league games and will have to show a vast improvement in attack if they are to come out triumphant.

Not since February 8 have Roma scored more than one goal in a league match.

The Giallorossi will not be at full strength in Verona with six players out injured while defenders Jose Holebas and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa must serve one-match bans.

Chievo held AC Milan to a goalless draw last weekend to ease their relegation worries.

The Flying Donkeys are 16th in the standings, five points clear of the drop zone.

"We played a good game against Milan and we could have even taken three points," said Chievo midfielder Perparim Hetemaj. "However, it was important to take a point.

"We know that Roma will come here very determined but we play at home and we want to win in order to defend our Serie A status as soon as possible.

"Roma will have to sweat to take away three points on Sunday."