Parma vs Lecce preview - Lecce boss has confidence in players

Posted Sunday, December 18, 2011 by PA

Lecce coach Serse Cosmi has faith in his beleaguered side ahead of Sunday's clash at Parma, despite their precarious position in the Serie A table.

The Salentini sit at the foot of the standings, six points adrift of safety.

Lecce have won just two of their 14 league games and their 3-2 defeat to Lazio last time out was their 10th reverse of the campaign.

That game was Cosmi's first in charge since replacing sacked Eusebio Di Francesco earlier this month.

"At this moment we just need to support the players as much as possible," Cosmi said.

"It's not easy when you lose so many games to lift the morale of the team.

"It is a delicate period but the Christmas break is around the corner and we will make the most of it.

"There were positives from our performance against Lazio and I don't think the result reflected what my players did on the pitch.

"I have confidence in my players and I know we can turn around this negative trend.

"We must continue to work hard and try to avoid making certain mistakes."

Lecce, who have the leakiest defence in the league having conceded 26 goals, will be desperate to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat at the Ennio Tardini stadium.

Parma, meanwhile, have failed to score in their past two league games, including last weekend's goalless draw at Cagliari.

They go into the encounter looking for their first win since November 20. Since then, Franco Colomba's side has mustered two points of a possible nine.

Parma are 12th in the standings, five points clear of the drop zone.

The hosts will be bolstered by the return of team's top scorer Sebastian Giovinco, who missed last weekend's game with a muscular problem. Giovinco has found the back of the net seven times so far this season.