Chievo vs Genoa preview - Maran hopes for winning start

Posted Saturday, October 25, 2014 by PA

New Chievo coach Rolando Maran faces his first test on Sunday at home to Genoa confident he can guide the struggling club away from the Serie A drop zone.

The Verona outfit dismissed coach Eugenio Corini after last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Roma, their fifth loss in their last seven league games.

The result left the Flying Donkeys 18th in the standings, one point adrift of safety.

"We have a good team and have the ingredients to avoid the drop," Maran said. "We have to always show a fighting spirit and try to improve game by game.

"We need to turn things around. I want to transmit to my players what it means to represent this club."

Maran, who played nine years at Chievo, had been out of a job since being sacked by Catania in April.

"I decided to accept this offer because having spoken to club president Luca Campedelli, I have found great intent and unity in what they want to achieve

at the club," the 51-year-old said.

"When you have these foundations, you are able to work well."

Maran will have all of his players available this weekend, with the exception of injured midfielder Mariano Izco.

Genoa travel to the Marc' Antonio Bentegodi stadium having suffered a blow with news that midfielder Tomas Rincon will be out of action for six weeks.

Rincon sustained a left thigh injury during last weekend's 1-1 draw against Empoli.

The Venezuelan player has joined midfield trio Ioannis Fetfatzidis, Juraj Kucka and Stefano sturaro on the sidelines.

Genoa coach Giampiero Gasperini will be hoping his team can overcome Rincon's absence as they look to extend their unbeaten run on the road this season in Verona.

The Grifoni have collected five of their current nine points away from home.