Sampdoria vs Cesena preview - Maccarone: We are under pressure
Posted Sunday, March 06, 2011 by PA
Sampdoria striker Massimo Maccarone has admitted his team are feeling the heat ahead of the match against Cesena.
Samp have collected just one win in their last nine league games.
The Blucerchiati have slipped down to 14th place as a result and find themselves just six points clear of the drop zone.
"There is perhaps a bit more pressure than usual for Sunday's game," Maccarone said.
"We are struggling to get results and I think our problems are part of what has been an unfortunate season.
"However, I really believe that we can get back on track and end the campaign in the best possible way."
Samp lost 2-0 to Inter Milan in the last round of fixtures and Maccarone expects his team to bounce back immediately.
"We didn't play badly against Inter but we didn't get the result we wanted," Maccarone said.
"Our recent negative run means that on Sunday there is only one possible result for us and that is to take three points against Cesena."
Rivals Cesena travel to Genoa in confident fashion.
Last weekend's 1-0 triumph over Chievo, courtesy of Luis Jimenez's late penalty, ended a nine-match winless run for the promoted outfit.
The result lifted Massimo Ficcadenti's side to 18th place, just three points behind Lecce, who hold the last position of safety.
Cesena will now be looking to take another step in their bid to defend their Serie A status at the Luigi Ferraris stadium.
"I believe my players last weekend sent a strong message that we are ready to battle until the end," Ficcadenti said.
Cesena will have to overcome the absence of the team's top scorer Erjon Bogdani and midfielder Luca Ceccarelli, who are both suspended.
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