Chievo VS (A Second rate beatable team)

By: Mostafa | May 2nd, 2009

DOn’t mind the title and don’t think I am going to do a full preview, I’m not having anyone of those make their way here until my exams are done, Bear with me this while it’s almost over (1 more month of agony) Anyway Chris has a great preview about this one but i still feel that after Chievo’s Recent Soaring and Roma’s Recent Slumps we should win this
BUT
Bear in mind this:

Roma were on a punishment training camp

Mirko Vucinic is back

Jeremey Menez is back

He scored last time if you had forgotten

They need this game more than we do

Anyway all is good even if we lose it’s an expected loss, but hey we have made great things happen since DI Carlo Came

They are a changed side under Di Carlo

-Spalletti The Wise

Goal . com now

Champions League Dream Over

Roma missed out on a massive opportunity to close the gap between themselves and Genoa, then Serie A’s fourth-placed team, prior to last weekend’s round of fixtures.

The Giallorossi’s humiliating 1-4 defeat at the hands of Fiorentina, though, saw them slip six points behind their opponents, who are now in the box seat to join Inter, Milan and Juventus in the Champions League next season.

Luciano Spalletti’s men continued their dismal run of failing to win two matches in succession, which started way back in January, when they accounted for Napoli and Palermo in the space of a few days. If results are to go according to how they have been performing lately, then they are due for a win over Chievo in this match.

Despite the fact that it is now a near impossible task, if the Romans want to have any chance of qualifying for the Champions League, then they have no choice but to win all five of their remaining fixtures this season, starting this weekend against the Flying Donkeys.

An interesting fact for the players and the tifosi to ponder ahead of this clash is that Roma have defeated just one side on two occasions this season, with that being Lecce. Nevertheless, if they are motivated and determined to succeed from the onset, then they should have no trouble whatsoever in accounting for the promoted club.

Two Wins From Safety

Chievo have been incredible in 2009. For a side who were languishing in the bottom two for so long in the first half of the season, they have done extremely well to fight back and get themselves out of the danger zone for the time being.

Prior to last weekend’s last-gasp 2-1 defeat at home to Udinese, the Flying Donkeys had sensationally lost just two of their past 15 league matches, with those coming against Milan (1-0) and Fiorentina (2-1).

Irrespective of the final result this weekend, Chievo’s position in the table cannot worsen. On the flip side, a victory could see them sit a comfortable eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Despite being defeated 1-0 against Roma in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign, Domenico Di Carlo’s men will certainly be confident of avoiding defeat yet again, especially keeping in mind their commendable form on the road and the inconsistency of their opponents.

The Verona club are currently on 34 points, meaning that they are six away from reaching the magical 40-point mark which will virtually assure their preservation in the top flight. With five matches remaining this term, they would desperately love to record a crucial victory in the Italian capital this weekend.

FORM GUIDE

Roma

April 25 v Fiorentina (A) LOST 1-4

April 19 v Lecce (H) WON 3-2

April 11 v Lazio (A) LOST 2-4

April 5 v Bologna (H) WON 2-1

March 22 v Juventus (H) LOST 1-4

Chievo

April 25 v Udinese (H) LOST 1-2

April 19 v Siena (A) WON 2-0

April 11 v Milan (H) LOST 0-1

April 5 v Juventus (A) DREW 3-3

March 22 v Palermo (H) WON 1-0

TEAM NEWS

Roma:

Yet another turn for the worse in the Eternal City, as captain Francesco Totti is in doubt after picking up a knock in training. Meanwhile, David Pizarro will miss this match through suspension, whilst Cicinho, Juan, Doni and Alberto Aquilani continue to watch from the sidelines with their respective long-term injuries.

On the bright side, Philippe Mexes returns from the red card he picked up in the derby two weeks ago and Mirko Vucinic has been named in the squad, although he is expected to start from the bench.

Possible Starting XI – (4-2-3-1): Artur; Motta, Panucci, Mexes, Tonetto; De Rossi, Brighi; Taddei, Perrotta, Baptista; Totti.

Chievo:

The promoted club have a number of concerns of their own heading into this contest, as Antonio Langella will miss the next two matches following the red card he picked up in the closing stages against Udinese last weekend. In addition to this, Mario Yepes will miss through suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards throughout the season.

Di Carlo will also be without the injured Stephen Makinwa, Fabio Moro and Kerlon, whilst goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino is set to return from injury for this clash.

Possible Starting XI – (4-3-1-2): Sorrentino; Frey, Morero, Mandelli, Mantovani; Luciano, Rigoni, Marcolini; Pinzi; Pellissier, Bogdani.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Roma – Philippe Mexes: The French defender is set to return from suspension, and his presence will be pivotal to the outcome this weekend. The Giallorossi have been terrible in defence over the past month or so, as they have conceded 15 times in their past five league matches. Furthermore, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in eight games, so they will be hoping Mexes’ presence can make a difference against the Flying Donkeys.

Chievo Verona – Sergio Pellissier: The captain of the club greatly contributed to his side’s promotion to the top flight last term with a remarkable tally of 22 goals. After an indifferent start to the current campaign, he has gone on a tear that has seen him score all six of his side’s goals in their past four matches. He has 12 goals to his name this term, meaning that Mexes & Co. will have to monitor his every move.

PREDICTION

It will be an interesting match-up between two sides at differing ends of the table, aiming to win for varying reasons. Chievo have been very impressive on the road recently, but the Giallorossi should bounce back from last weekend’s mauling in Florence to record a narrow yet crucial victory.

Roma 3-2 Chievo