Despite a disappointing record on the road this season, Chievo have managed to maintain a respectable league position thanks to impressive home form which features five wins, four draws and just two defeats in 11 games.
In fact, two thirds of their overall points tally have come at the Stadio Bentegodi. Opposition sides have found the Gialloblu backline much harder to break down at home. This season, Chievo have only conceded ten goals on their home patch (just five in the last eight games), compared to 24 on their travels.
In the five home victories against Bologna, Sampdoria, Pescara, Roma and Atalanta, late winning goals have often proved to be something of a speciality.
The first of these great escapes coincided with Corini’s opening game in charge, against Sampdoria. Thereau put the hosts in front just before the interval, Maresca then equalised in the second half but Di Michele netted three minutes from time to claim the points in dramatic fashion. The visit of Pescara saw Luciano and Stoian find the target in successive minutes as the Gialloblu again snatched victory with the match seemingly heading for a draw. In a tough assignment against Roma, another goal in the dying stages, this time from Pellissier, tipped the balance in Chievo’s favour.
Three of the four draws at the Stadio Bentegodi came in successive matches, against Fiorentina, Napoli and Siena. The majority of the stalemates have been hard-earned points from meetings with higher placed teams.
Against Fiorentina, a goal for either side in a frenetic two minutes of the first half tied the game at 1-1. Thereau put the hosts in front, but Rodriguez pounced to earn his side a share of the spoils. Udinese’s visit to Verona in November saw Andreolli and Paloschi twice put Chievo in the driving seat, only for the advantage to go up in smoke on both occasions through Agnella’s brace. Despite having the upper hand for most of their encounter with Parma, the hosts failed to find a winner after Paloschi had responded to Belfodil’s earlier strike.
The two home defeats of the campaign came against strong opposition during the reign of previous manager Di Carlo.
Match day three saw Lazio run out 3-1 winners thanks to Hernanes’ double and a solitary strike from Klose. Two weeks later, Pereira and Cassano found the back of the net as Inter emerged victorious by a two-goal margin.
Despite this strong home record, Juventus can draw confidence from their consistent away form in the league and will be hopeful of breaking down Chievo’s rearguard due to an average of two goals per game on the road.
Source: Juventus.com
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