Chievo v Parma: Momentum with the Flying Donkeys

Date: 19th September 2014 at 8:01am
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Chievo host Parma at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi in Serie A on Sunday morning, with the two sides going into the game off the back of mixed fortunes in Week Two.

The Flying Donkeys pulled off an excellent, if unexpected, victory over Rafael Benitez’s Napoli side courtesy of a Maxi Lopez goal and a fine performance from goalkeeper Francesco Bardi which included a penalty save from Gonzalo Higuain.

The Crociati on the other hand were on the wrong end of a 5-4 scoreline against AC Milan in a quite extraordinary game. Roberto Donadoni’s side were never ahead in a game which saw defender Felipe sent off for two bookable offences and are without a point after their first two games of the season.

The corresponding fixture last season took place in January and ended with a 2-1 victory for Parma thanks to Alessandro Lucarelli’s injury time winner, while their opening day meeting at the Stadio Ennio Tardini failed to produce a goal.

While Week Two had differing results for the two sides, their performances in the 2013-14 season were also starkly contrasting. Parma finished an impressive sixth in the table, putting a 17 match unbeaten run together in the process whereas Eugenio Corini’s side just managed to push themselves clear of relegation after picking up some important results near the end of the campaign.

Corini’s only injury concern ahead of Sunday’s game is midfielder Ezequiel Schelotto, who is continuing to recover from the injury that kept him out of the Napoli game. The home side don’t have any players ruled out through suspension.

Donadoni on the other hand has a host of headaches and most notably will be without the services of Jonathan Biabiany who this week was revealed to be out of the game indefinitely with a heart condition. Other injury concerns include Gabriel Paletta and Mattia Cassani, while Felipe is suspended following his red card against Milan.

Expected Starting XIs

Chievo – Bardi; Frey, Dainelli, Cesar, Biraghi; Izco, Radovanovic, Hetemaj; Birsa, Lazarevic; Maxi Lopez

Parma – Mirante; Ristovski, Mendes, Lucarelli, De Ceglie; Acquah, Lodi, Jorquera; Belfodil, Cassano, Palladino

 

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