Eugenio Corini has finally been forced to admit that his Chievo side have massive problems away from home. Since taking over from the popular Domenico Di Carlo, his record reads played five, won two, drawn one and lost two.
That doesn’t tell the whole story however as the three undefeated games have come at home at the Stadio Bentegodi, whilst the two defeats have both come away from home with just one goal scored in those two away games and six conceeded.
Last Saturday night, Corini’s side fell apart as Milan racked up their biggest win of the campaign so far, eventually running out 5-1 winners. An early Urby Emanuelson strike after sixteen minutes put Milan in the driving seat but was cancelled out just two minutes later by a goal from returning skipper Sergio Pellissier. Pellissier stole in ahead of El Shaarawy to glance a corner in at the near post.
Almost immediately, Milan’s defensive frailties appeared to return as the Gialloblu stepped the pressure on. Perparim Hetemaj drilled just wide from distance before Cyril Thereau’s low shot took a smart save from Abbiati to turn around the post. On the half hour Corini’s men seemed to have a decent call for a penalty as Philippe Mexes attempted to control a ball into the Milan box, but in doing so definitely used his arm to advert the danger.
Six minutes later Milan were back in front as Chievo were caught cold. Emanuelson pulled the ball back from the deadball line to Riccardo Montolivo who fired into the far bottom corner. Thereau should have levelled just moments later when he sprang the offside trap to go one on one with Abbiati, but the Milan keeper blocked with his feet at the near post.
The turning point came just minutes before half-time when Bojan scored his first Milan goal to make it 3-1 on the stroke of half-time. It was the first time Milan had managed to score three goals at the San Siro this season. The second half continued much the same as the first half with chances at both ends until Milan made the game safe with fifteen minutes remaining.
El Shaarawy scored his eighth Serie A goal of the campaign when he arrived at the far post to tap home from close range after an Abate cross had been allowed to go right across the face of goal. Pazzini got in on the act to grab the fifth with virtually the last kick of the game when he prodded the ball home from close range after a ball from El Shaarawy was again allowed to go right across the face of goal.
The result means Chievo have now dropped to sixteenth place with ten points from eleven games, but perhaps more alarmlingly have the worst goal difference with minus eleven after conceeding no fewer than twenty-one goals in just eleven games with only ten scored. Six of those have come in the two away games that Corini has overseen.
Although the Gialloblu’s extended stay in Serie A has been built on having a an impressive home record, their tendancy to ship cheap goals may just tip the balance against them and cost Corini his job. This is all in stark contrast to his previous games in charge.
The man who has played for both Veronese clubs, began his reign with back to back home games. A much needed 2-1 win over Sampdoria was followed by an impressive 1-1 draw with high flyers Fiorentina. The first game back after the International break saw the Gialloblu go down 1-0 away at title chasers Napoli, a respected result especially when you consider that again Corini’s men had chances to take something from that game in the Stadio San Paolo before Marik Hamsik helped himself to the only goal of the game.
In midweek last week, the Gialloblu picked up a much needed three points at home to fellow strugglers Pescara who also had a man sent off in the first half. In horrible conditions of heavy downpours, Corini’s men took the game to their visitors eventually winning 2-0 with goals from Luciano (penalty) and Adrian Stoian.
This keeps Corini’s unbeaten home record in tact ahead of the cruical visit of Udinese this Sunday. Chievo haven’t beaten Udinese at home since 2006 but hope their strong home record will see them through this time especially as Udinese have just lost 3-2 at home to Young Boys from Switzerland in their most recent Europa League clash. Corini may just have to rely on his side’s home form to keep his job.
