CHIEVO PREVIEW
Match Previews
3rd August
All you need to know about today's opposition
City step up their Barclays Premier League preparations on Saturday as they face Italian Serie A outfit Chievo Verona, bringing the long awaited return of football back to Cardiff City Stadium.
With their Premier League opener against West Ham United now just two-weeks away, City boss Malky Mackay is set to introduce his four new summer signings to the home faithful tomorrow, with Andreas Cornelius, John Brayford, Simon Moore and record signing Steven Caulker all possible inclusions in the squad.
It’s one win, one draw and a defeat for the Bluebirds so far in pre-season, with arguably their sternest test yet ahead of them on Saturday against Serie A regulars Chievo, who have been in free-scoring form during their preparations so far. Most recently, a 6-0 win over a Top 11 Amateur select side followed a 3-0 win over Serie B Bari.
KEY PLAYERS
Cyril Thereau
Frenchman Cyril Thereau topped every chart going for Chievo in Serie A last season as he played a central role in providing mid-table security for the Verona club. 11 goals in 37 appearances was enough to see the Chievo striker top the Gialloblù’s scoring charts last season, adding four assists in the process.
ONE TO WATCH
Alberto Paloschi
Not a familiar circumstance in the UK, part-ownership is commonplace in Italy a contractual status that sees 23-year old Alberto Paloschi registered with Chievo and giants AC Milan. Last campaign Paloschi netted on seven occasions for the Gialloblù, but will look to build on that this campaign as he looks to fulfil a much hyped potential from his early days as a youngster at Milan.
Not a familiar circumstance in the UK, part-ownership is commonplace in Italy a contractual status that sees 23-year old Alberto Paloschi registered with Chievo and giants AC Milan. Last campaign Paloschi netted on seven occasions for the Gialloblù, but will look to build on that this campaign as he looks to fulfil a much hyped potential from his early days as a youngster at Milan.
Pre-Season so far:
Cardiff – 4-3 W (Forest Green), 1-1 D (Cheltenham Town), 2-3 L (Brentford)
Chievo – 7-0 W (San Zeno select), 8-0 W (Legnago), 3-0 W (Virtus), 3-0 W (Bari), 6-0 W (Top 11 Amateur Select)
Last line-ups:
Cardiff: Lewis, Brayford, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Noone, Mutch, Whittingham, Kim, Bellamy, Campbell.
Chievo: Silvestri, Sardo, Papp, Dainelli, Pamic, Improta, Bentivoglio, Hetemaj, Sesta, Paloschi, Thereau.
Manager – Giuseppe Sannino
Despite bringing comfortable safety last season, then Chievo Head Coach Eugenio Corini resigned from his post in May this summer. Former Palermo and Siena boss Giuseppe Sannino was swiftly put in the Chievo hot seat to prepare them for the season ahead, a man used to keeping sides in the Italian top flight having impressed in his time at Siena, keeping the Italian minnows in the top division in 2012.
