Sassuolo vs Parma preview - Rosi out to end Parma's run

Posted Saturday, March 01, 2014 by PA

An emotional Aleandro Rosi is preparing to bring parent club Parma's remarkable 13-game unbeaten run to an end as Sassuolo target an overdue victory in Sunday's Emilian derby.

The 26-year-old full-back signed a five-year contract at the Stadio Ennio Tardini two years ago but, after failing to establish himself in Roberto Donadoni's first team, he was sent out on loan to neighbours Sassuolo last month.

The terms of his deal allow him to face the Ducale club, who have not tasted defeat since November 2 and sit seventh in the Serie A table, when Sassuolo look to arrest a run of six straight losses.

Alberto Malesani's men prop up the standings and lie four points from safety, a situation Rosi believes can only be remedied if the Neroverde start taking the game to their opponents instead of sitting back.

He told the Corriere dello Sport: "It will be a little bit of an emotional game for me, given that until a month ago I was playing for them.

"But now I'm at Sassuolo and we want to win on Sunday so we can get back on the right path.

"Parma are doing well and that's why we will have to go for the win. It will be a difficult game but if we approach it with the right mindset then we can win."

Emanuele Terranova, Marius Alexe, Francesco Acerbi, Gaetano Masucci and Thomas Manfredini are all sidelined through injury for Sassuolo while Gianni Munari misses out for Parma due to suspension.

The Gialloblu could take sixth place from Hellas Verona - who host Bologna on Sunday - with victory at the Stadio Citta del Tricolore but goalkeeper Antonio Mirante is wary that a Sassuolo backlash could scupper their plans.

"We know it will not be easy to win against Malesani's men - they play good football and are going through a difficult time," he told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We, however, are experiencing a period of time where we're in great form, as evidenced by the 13-match unbeaten run.

"We want to continue on this path and we have what it takes to start looking up."