Hellas Verona travel to play Cagliari on Sunday in Serie A as both sides look for a first win since January at the Stadio Sant’Elia.
Earlier in the season the Mastini earned a rare clean-sheet in the 1-0 October win over Cagliari, with whoever is playing at home winning by the odd goal in each of the three Serie A encounters between these sides in the last two seasons.
This weekend’s match will see Isolani boss Gianfranco Zola under immense pressure to turn his side around, as he had promised when taking over December 2o14, but such form has failed to materialise and Cagliari sit three points from safety in Serie A at 18th place.
A series of tight games since Zola’s arrival has somewhat steadied the ship, but defeats against the likes of Parma and Atalanta have seen a gap open up between themselves and safety, with one win in seven leading to rumours that sacked predecessor Zdenek Zeman may be in line for a sensational return to the Rossoblu.
Visitors Verona halted a run of three straight defeats in last week’s 1-1 draw with second-placed Roma, and know that their five-point cushion over the relegation zone will be significantly reduced with defeat, but will also be aware that a third away win of the season would push them further into mid-table comfort.
However, having conceded 15 goals in their last six league matches, the Gialloblu need to tighten up and may consider a win in Sardinia necessary with a tough run of fixtures awaiting them in March.
The hosts’ treatment room has been rather full recently, and Zola will hope to have joint top-scorers Marco Sau and Albin Ekdal fit for the bench, while defender Antonio Balzano may make his return to the squad after over a month on the sidelines.
Verona coach Andrea Mandorlini may be handed an injury boost ahead of the clash; Jacopo Sala and Guillermo Rodriguez are nearing full fitness and should play some part while experienced goalkeeper Rafael is back in training- but not expected to appear this weekend. However, young midfielder Mattia Valoti is expected to miss out with a back injury.
Form Guide: Cagliari (D-W-L-L-D-L) Verona (L-W-L-L-L-D)
Expected Starting XIs
Cagliari: Brkic; Pisano, Rossettini, Capuano, Avelar; Donsah, Conti, Dessena; Cossu, Mpoku; Cop.
Verona: Benussi; E. Pisano, Moras, Marquez, Brivio; Ionita, Tachtsidis, Halfredsson; Gomez, Toni, Jankovic.
