Empoli coach Maurizio Sarri was full of praise for Parma ahead of their meeting on Sunday, and expects a massive reaction from them after their last game.
That match saw the Ducali, who currently sit bottom of the table and are in great difficult both on and off the field, battered 7-0 by a relentless Juventus in Turin.
Sarri spoke to the assembled media in his press conference and was very positive in his assessment of their opponents: “On Sunday, Parma have all of the conditions in their favour to do well.
“They have come from a heavy defeat and will want to react and start over. It is a team who qualified for Europe last season and they will be upset after that heavy loss.
“For them, they will want to play the game of their lives and will be desperate to win to try and climb the table.”
On his own side, he was insistent that they are well prepared for the challenge they face in taking on the Crociati who he believes occupy a false position in the table.
He continued: “For our part, we must go on to the pitch thinking we are stronger than them. We expect a difficult game and I think starting the game well will be crucial for either team.
“Parma is a team who are better than their ranking shows and who deserve to have more points than they actually have. We will go in with the attitude that every point we fight for is precious in our bid for survival.”
Elseid Hysaj, who played against Italy on Tuesday night for Albania in their 1-0 friendly loss, will undergo a last-minute fitness test to determine his physical shape, Francesco Tavano is another who is a slight doubt while Manuel Pucciarelli has completely recovered after an ankle injury.
