Chievo are edging ever closer to the drop zone, but with 12 games to go and the battle to avoid relegation extremely tight, I’m still confident that the Flying Donkeys will pull off their objective of the season and retain their spot in Serie A.
Initially with their win at home to struggling side Catania, I believed it would be the turning point in Chievo’s season when they became unstoppable! I thought they had been playing mind games and teasing everyone with this lose here draw there approach!
The Flying Donkeys went into the match with Catania needing points to climb out of the bottom three, however this was going to be a difficult task. Catania themselves were looking to get a second win, after their impressive victory against Lazio the week before, and continue to climb away from the danger zone.
Nevertheless, Chievo came out on top against the Elefanti in a 2-0 win, which saw Cyril Thereau score a penalty and Luca Rigoni head in the second. There were some real positives coming from the team that coach Eugenio Corini. Michael Agazzi was outstanding between the posts, surpassing Christian Puggioni, who will find it difficult to get back into the side with his previous performances. The return of Dario Dainelli was needed as the defence had been suffering since his absence at the back.
On the back of their win, and with the return of Dainelli and Preparim Hetemaj to the side, the Gialloblu looked good on paper against an Atalanta side, who were only eight points from the relegation zone and struggling to get results. But it was La Dea who struck first and, with Boštjan Cesar being sent off, this made it an uphill battle.
Dainelli scored a header from a set piece, but the Nerazzurri got a late winner through Luca Cigarini to secure all three points. However, The Flying Donkeys did deserve a point at least after showing great spirit and drive following the sending off.
Corini had changed the formation to play Hetemaj in a trequartista role, supporting the front two of Alberto Paloschi and Thereau, which meant that the midfield were short and left open, allowing Giacomo Bonaventura and Cigarini to find space to attack.
The 43-year-old tactician should be pleased with his team’s recent performances, but he needs to maintain his formation as this is the second defeat the team have had after a change in set up. Though, the team do look well organised when it comes to set pieces and seem to be a real threat in the air.
The Gialloblu face Genoa at the Stadio Bentegodi on Sunday without Gennaro Sardo, Dainelli and Cesar, who have all been suspended through yellow card accumulation or having been sent off. This means that Corini will not have is usual back three and will have to rely on Matteo Rubin, Nicolas Frey, Michele Canini or Alessandro Bernardini, who will likely have to come in and get lucky in order to prevent the Rossoblu from penetrating the goal.
Corini should revert back to his tried and tested 3-5-2, in order to gain control of that midfield and make sure Alberto Gilardino is tightly marked.
Agazzi appears to be doing a great job in goal for the Flying Donkeys, but he will have to be well prepared for this Genoa side who attack ferociously and get early balls in from the flanks.
In what should be an interesting contest this Sunday, Chievo need the points and could potentially take the Rossoblu by surprise. However, they need to play it safe as they are missing some their main defenders, but this could be a good opportunity for the either Bernardini or Rubin to impress.
They currently sit 17th with 21 points, joint level with fellow strugglers Livorno. Bologna aren’t that far in front with 22 points and could overtake them if they can get the three points. Keep the faith you Donkey fans, this is real football!!
Forza Chievo!!
Follow Nic Petruzziello on Twitter: @NicPetruzziello
I reckon the 4-3-1-2 and 4-3-3 are the way to go. The 3-5-2 suits most teams in the Serie A but I can’t recall Chievo getting too many results with it.