Lecce vs Chievo preview - Cosmis hoping to build on Viola victory

Posted Sunday, January 22, 2012 by PA

Lecce coach Serse Cosmi hopes his team's triumph at Fiorentina last weekend will be a turning point in their season and spark the club in its bid to avoid the drop.

The win - courtesy of David Di Michele's second-half penalty - was significant considering it lifted Lecce off the foot of the standings ahead of the game against Chievo.

The result marked the Salentini's third win of the season and Cosmi's first success since taking over the team last month.

"This was a beautiful and important result for us," Cosmi said. "It will allow us to look ahead with optimism.

"We've handed good performances in recent games and I expect more of the same against Chievo.

"We have a lot of work to do and we cannot get too carried away.

"We need to keep our feet firmly on the ground."

Lecce are 19th in the standings, six points behind safety, and have yet to win at the Via Del Mare stadium this season.

"To have clinched one point from a possible 24 at home says it all," Cosmi said. "It's evident that if we are to have any hope of defending our Serie A status, we must make a drastic improvement when playing at home."

Lecce will face a stern test against a Chievo side that claimed its sixth win of the campaign in last weekend's 1-0 triumph over Palermo.

The result moved the Verona outfit to ninth place.

"Compliments to the squad, as they are constantly improving," Chievo coach Domenico Di Carlo said. "We played well against a good side and we were rewarded.

"We must continue on this path."

The only consolation for Lecce is that Chievo have struggled on the road this season, with their last victory away from home dating back to November 20.

The hosts will be without pivotal midfielder Guillermo Giacomazzi, who is suspended, while Chievo will be at full strength.