Cesena vs Chievo preview - Cesena up for Chievo clash

Posted Sunday, February 27, 2011 by PA

Relegation-threatened Cesena are showing no signs of recovery but coach Massimo Ficcadenti insists his team are well aware of the importance of the match against Chievo at the Dino Manuzzi stadium.

With just one win from their last 10 games, Cesena lie second from bottom in Serie A, four points from safety.

Last weekend's 2-2 draw at Parma was of little comfort for Ficcandeti, whose side conceded a late equaliser to be denied all three points.

It is a frustrating state of affairs for Ficcadenti's men, but the promoted outfit have struggled in every department this season.

Cesena have mustered just 19 goals in 26 games while their defensive record is equally poor with 36 goals conceded.

But there is still time for Cesena to lift themselves out of trouble, and victory over Chievo could set them on the path to safety.

"There is no doubt in our minds that the game against Chievo is extremely important for us," said Ficcadenti. "I am not thinking about Chievo but about my team and our desperate need to win.

"We need to give everything we have and hope to return to the winning ways as soon as possible."

Ficcadenti has urged the Cesena fans to get behind the team.

"We need their support at this crucial stage of the season," he said. "We hope that on Sunday they will give us a helping hand."

Rivals Chievo have picked up just five points and one win on their travels this year.

Back-to-back defeats to Cagliari and AC Milan have dropped the Flying Donkeys to 13th place.

Chievo are eight points clear of the drop zone and safety is very much in their own hands but coach Stefano Pioli wants his team to start picking up points away from Verona.

"We are going to Cesena for the win," he said.

"The performance handed by my team against Milan left me very confident about the future.

"We want to defend our Serie A status as soon as possible."

Chievo will be without suspended pair Luca Rigoni and Bojstan Cesar.