VERONA – SPEZIA | Sunday 3pm
Returning to breathe the air of home was evidently healthy for Spezia, who broke their losing streak of three defeats in a row by drawing 1-1 with Udinese last Tuesday in the midweek round. A point that at least moves a classification that has suddenly become worrying, but that is even narrower for Luca Gotti’s men, who were able to build several more goal balls than the Friulans. The victory, however, continues to be missing since September, at least as far as the championship is concerned (in the Italian Cup the Ligurians qualified for the round of 16 by beating Brescia 3-1). Spezia, for now, is not involved in the relegation zone, but the advantage accumulated in the previous days thanks to a good home trend – it is the only team not to have scored a single point on the road – is shrinking round after round. Cremonese, now third-last, are -3 and if the Bianconeri were to lose their direct clash with Verona, the Scaligeri would find themselves at -2.
For Salvatore Bocchetti’s side, in fact, this challenge has almost the flavour of the last resort: another defeat, which would be the tenth in a row, would further diminish their chances of salvation. Since the new coach has been on the bench, there has not been the turnaround that fans and club had hoped for: five knockouts in five matches, a roster even worse than his predecessor. Verona had to reckon with the worst defence in the tournament (27 goals conceded) but also an attack that scored zero goals in the last 180 minutes against Monza and Juventus. Bocchetti can console himself with his team’s record: the Scaligeri have never lost to Spezia in Serie A, with three wins and one draw to date.
Verona v Spezia: latest line-up info
Reca scores against Udinese
Bocchetti must do without the unavailable Faraoni, Piccoli, Hrustic and Coppola and is struggling with the doubts Ilic and Lazovic. The two Serbs, both called up for the upcoming World Cup, are not at their best but at least one of them should start. Depaoli is ready to take the ex-Genoa man’s place, while in midfield the Tameze-Veloso pair will be reunited. Compared to the match against Juve, Henry, Verdi and Gunter will also be back from the 1′.
Spezia will be without goalkeeper Dragowski, stopped by back pain. The former viola player will be replaced by deputy Zoet. In attack, Gyasi will be available again: it’s a duel with Verde for who will flank the unmovable Nzola. The defence trio will be made up of Ampadu, Kiwior and Nikolaou, while Bourabia will again be in charge.
The prediction
Verona should be able to pick up at least a point in what looks like one of their last chances to get back on track. A draw with both teams scoring cannot be ruled out
Verona v Spezia matchday squad
- VERONA (3-4-2-1): Montipò; Dawidowicz, Gunter, Ceccherini; Lazovic, Tameze, Veloso, Doig; Kallon, Verdi; Henry.
- SPEZIA (3-5-2): Zoet; Ampadu, Kiwior, Nikolaou; Holm, Bourabia, Ekdal, Agudelo, Bastoni; Verde, Nzola.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
