Chievo vs Cagliari preview - New year, new start for Corini

Posted Saturday, January 04, 2014 by PA

Chievo coach Eugenio Corini hopes the winter break has done his players the world of good as they look to start the new year with a win at home to Cagliari.

Back-to-back defeats against Sampdoria and Torino saw the Flying Donkeys head into Christmas just two places and one point above the Serie A relegation zone.

And Corini is aiming to get their season on track on Sunday when they host mid-table opposition at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi.

"After the Christmas break I was very happy to see my players get back to work with a huge amount of desire," he told a press conference.

"We paid for some silly errors in our last two matches against Sampdoria and Torino, although in both instances we gave good performances.

"But I have identified situations in those games where we went wrong and, together with the players, I have tried to correct them.

"It is important that the team keep their balance at all times. Also against a side like Cagliari, who can be formidable opponents.

"They have a mix of quality and quantity, both in midfield and in attack, and are particularly dangerous on the counter-attack."

Cagliari travel to Verona on the back of a six-match unbeaten run which has seen them climb the standings to 12th.

However, coach Diego Lopez remains no clearer over the future of star midfielder Radja Nainggolan, who is being courted by several leading clubs.

Cagliari sporting director Nicola Salerno hinted earlier this week that they were set to open negotiations with AC Milan, but Juventus, Roma, Inter Milan and Paris St Germain are also reportedly interested in the Belgian.

Nainggolan is still expected to be a part of the Cagliari squad this weekend but Brazilian striker Nene is unlikely to play any part for the Sardinians because of injury while midfielder Sebastian Eriksson is also struggling with a thigh strain.