Match Preview: Hellas Verona v Cagliari

Insight, form and news ahead of Saturday night's clash between Hellas Verona and Cagliari.

After the lockdown Hellas players enjoy a recent training session (photo credit: @HellasVeronaFC)

#1. Head to Head. When Cagliari and Hellas Verona met at the end of September, it finished 1-1. The return fixture, originally scheduled for 23 February, was postponed at the outset of Italy's COVID-19 crisis. It was then rescheduled to take place behind closed doors on the 18 March, but was once again postponed as the crisis escalated. Nearly four months later, the fixture will finally go ahead on Saturday night, as Serie A returns for what promises to be a compelling climax to a unique season.

#2. The form book. Verona's last competitive game was a 2-1 defeat away to Sampdoria on 8 March. After an impressive run of form, it was an out of sorts Verona that lost behind closed doors at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, thanks to two Quagliarella goals (including a late penalty). Verona's defeat against Samp came on the back of nine game unbeaten run. Cagliari's last game was a 4-3 defeat against Roma on 1 March. Prior to that, their form had been less convincing than it had been in early stages of the championship, with two defeats and three draws in their previous five fixtures. 

#3. Spiderman. Just three points below Verona, for a club that tends to find itself in the lower half of the table at the business end of the season, Cagliari are also enjoying a decent season, despite dispensing with the services of Rolando Maran after his barnstorming start. Walter Zenga, nicknamed "Uomo Ragno", was appointed on 3 March and this will be the former Azurri keeper's first competitive game in charge since he was dismissed last year by Serie B side Venezia.

#4. Rafael returns. A significant day for another goalkeeping legend, as Rafael returns to play at the Bentegodi for the first time since leaving Verona in 2016. He spend eight remarkable years at Hellas, experiencing everything from the darks days of the Lega Pro to the glorious return to Serie A after years in the footballing wilderness. The Brazilian keeper made 282 appearances for Hellas and, under normal circumstances, would have received a hero's welcome from the home curva. 

#5. Runners and riders. On the pitch, some good news for Hellas as Cagliari's influential midfielder Radja Nainggolan misses out through injury, while Joao Pedro, who's scored 16 goals this season (only Immobile, Ronaldo and Lukaku have scored more ) is suspended. No such concerns for Hellas who have a fully roster to choose from. For Juric, the biggest question mark remains up front. Will he opt for a recognised number 9 (such as Pazzini, Stepinski or Di Carmine) or will he continue to deploy a more fluid strike force of Pessina, Verre and Zaccagni? We'll find out on Saturday evening!
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