Italian Serie A Match Preview: Chievo Verona vs. SSC Napoli
The Flying Donkeys to rely on home form
The Gialloblu have exceeded all expectations in this season and currently sit on the 11th spot in the Serie A league table. Stefano Pioli’s men have gone on undefeated in their last four league encounters and there is
room for optimism going into this encounter.
The Mussi Volanti’s successful season has much to do with their impressive home form. The Yellow-Blues have taken points off teams such as Juventus FC, Inter Milan and AS http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603 when playing at home, and more of the same will be
expected tonight. However, Pioli knows his men are against quality opposition that can punish even the slightest lapse in concentration.
“Napoli are an extremely strong squad supported by a good physical and mental condition. They are extraordinary. They are quick, technically very good and in short, I am struggling to find a weakness in this side” Stefano Pioli
said talking to the Italian media.
The Azzurri getting better as the season progresses
Napoli are one of the in-form teams in Italy with three victories in their last four outings. The positive run of results also includes the prized scalp of perennial giants of Italian football, Juventus. Walter Mazzarri’s men are
showing divine form, the sort of magic Neapolitans frequently witnessed in the days of legendary http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-Maradona-c11160.
As things stand, Partenopei are second in the Calcio charts with 43 points from 22 games; they are five points behind league leaders AC Milan. With the Rossoneri having drawn their game against SS http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775 last night, Napoli have
an ideal opportunity to close the gap on Massimiliano Allegri’s men.
The last time these two sides met, Mazzarri’s men were humiliated in Naples, as Chievo ran away with a 3-1 victory. Tonight’s encounter will present Neapolitans with an opportunity to draw revenge.
Team News
Chievo Verona
Pioli will have to do without the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michele-Marcolini-c25495 and Luciano Siqueira as the duo fill up the numbers on Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi treatment tables.
Sergio Pellissier and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mariano-Bogliacino-c23895 will play just behind the front two.
SSC http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ezequiel-Lavezzi-c13073 will watch from the stands as he is suspended for this game.
Walter Mazzarri will stick to his favourite 3-4-1-2 formation. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Edinson-Cavani-c11955 will lead the Partenopei charge while Marek Hamsik will play in a free role behind the forwards.
Key Players
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Pellissier-c33091
The Mussi Volanti’s talismanic skipper will have to shoulder the goal-scoring burden for his team. Pellissier – a guaranteed big game performer – is the team’s top scorer with 10 league goals, and he will look to pounce on any
mistakes the opposing defence makes.
Edinson Cavani
El Matador continues to get better with each passing day. The Uruguayan forward has scored seven goals in his last four appearances. Needless to say, the striker is odds-on favourite to hit the back of the net against a modest
Chievo defence.
Prediction
The game will be a cagey affair as Chievo Verona will be content with a draw. Mazzarri’s men will look to close the gap on the league leaders with a victory. However, Lavezzi’s work rate and direct running in the opposition half
will be missed as the Flying Donkeys will hold out for a 1-1 draw.
Tags: