Eleven years have passed and how different things are now. On one side of the city Hellas Verona triumph and continue to impress in their return to Serie A, while on the other side of the city their rivals Chievo sit at the bottom of the pile, a far cry from 2001.
Chievo made their debut in the Serie A that year with low expectations as many felt the club would return to Serie B after just one season in the top flight. Despite the critics they stayed top of the table for six consecutive weeks before finishing fifth to qualify for the UEFA Cup.
It took six seasons for those critics to see the Gialloblu relegated back to the Serie B, but just took a attempt for president Luca Campdelli to see his team return to top flight football.
Another six seasons on and Chievo had still maintained that hard-working method in Serie A, making it difficult for any team to get all three points when playing them, and even more so when at the Stadio Bentegodi, all thanks to the philosophy of coach Domenico Di Carlo.
Giuseppe Sannino was installed as new tactician at the beginning of the season with his priority to avoid relegation. Sannino’s philosophy was to keep things simple in order to avoid the drop, adopting to a 4-4-2 formation and with the partnership of Cyril Théréau and Alberto Paloschi up front.
But, despite the two being capable strikers, the pair have only scored three goals between them this season, with Paloschi getting his two in one match – the second game of the campaign against Napoli.
As a result, Sannino’s men have only taken five points from 11 matches but it must be said, some of the poor results are just down to pure back luck, as performances haven’t been as bad as results suggest.
However, the former Palermo coach can take some comfort in as much as his team’s performance away to Bologna was more impressive than it has been. Marcelo Estigarribia and Luca Rigoni looked solid in the midfield and with the addition of Boadu Acosty, who showed real promise getting forward in the second half, Chievo could see a quick turnaround.
The 22-year-old loanee from Fiorentina has only made four appearances this season for the Gialloblu, but with 34 years-old Gennaro Sardo not providing the pace that Chievo need down the flanks. Acosty’s crosses weren’t especially good against Bologna, but Théréau, Paloschi and even the club captain Sergio Pellissier would welcome and kind of chances created for them in the box.
Sannino, though, is content with the group of players he was given at the beginning of the season, calling the squad, “One of the best groups of players I’ve ever worked with because they have a culture of exceptional work.” Nevertheless questions have already been asked about the 56-year-old coach, and rumours suggest he will be given the boot should Chievo lose to AC Milan this weekend.
A good result against the Rossoneri could provide them with enough confidence and belief that could see a resurgence. They can be a very tricky team at home and Milan will have to be well prepared as one thing is for sure, Chievo will be well organised and difficult to break down.
It’s unusual to see the Flying Donkeys fly so low in the league, when Serie A has been so open this season. I don’t imagine they will be down there come the end of the campaign, as those who accompany them at the bottom don’t have the qualities and depth that Chievo clearly have, all they need to do is demonstrate it.
