Serie A | Gameweek 34

Apr 28, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi

Hellas Verona vs Cagliari

Match preview

After three successive draws - and three wins from their previous seven matches - Verona were well clear of the relegation zone heading into last week's clash with Roma.

As usual, they left the capital empty-handed after suffering their 22nd defeat in 28 attempts against the Giallorossi at the Stadio Olimpico, but their destiny remains in their own hands.

Paolo Zanetti's side may have gone four games without a win at a crucial stage of the season, but they still have three relegation rivals - Cagliari, Lecce and Empoli - to face before the end of the campaign.

While Hellas have recently tightened up at the back, own goals aside, they have only scored five times in the league this calendar year, with no single player finding the net more than once.

Zanetti will be looking to find the right balance as Verona look to extend their long unbeaten run at home to Cagliari: the Gialloblu have won nine of the last 14 meetings between the clubs at the Stadio Bentegodi, with the other two draws.

Understandably, the visitors will be looking to end their winless run and complete a first-ever double over Verona since 1972.

Cagliari may have won the reverse fixture in November 1-0 thanks to a late strike from top scorer Roberto Piccoli, but they currently trail Hellas by two points in the standings.

The Rossoblu suffered their 17th league defeat of the season in Wednesday's postponed match against Fiorentina, failing to hold on after Piccoli's opener in Sardinia.

Fiorentina's quest for a third successive season in Serie A continues, with well-travelled coach Davide Nicola - a renowned survival specialist - hoping to steer them away from danger.

However, after winning their first away game of 2025 - against rock-bottom Monza - Cagliari have taken just three points from seven subsequent trips to the continent, scoring just three goals. That does not bode well ahead of their visit to the Bentegodi.

Recent Performance

Hellas Verona Serie A form:LWDDDL

Cagliari Serie A form:DLWDLL

Team News

Hellas hope to have top scorer Casper Tengstedt back in the squad for Monday's game after several weeks on the sidelines, but Pawel Dawidowicz has been ruled out with a muscle problem.

The Poland international has recently moved from a central defensive role to a deeper midfield position, meaning either Suat Serdar or Cheikh Niasse could come off the bench to replace him.

With Tengstedt still struggling for fitness, Amin Sarr, Daniel Mosquera and Dailon Livramento will battle it out for two places up front.

Meanwhile, Cagliari will be without their main marksman: Roberto Piccoli is serving a ban for accumulating bookings following his yellow card against Fiorentina.

That leaves wing-back Tommaso Augello as the only player with a 100% record for the Rossoblu in Serie A this season - he is likely to start on the left flank, with Nadir Zortea on the right.

Alessandro Deiola has returned from suspension, but Yerry Mina could miss Cagliari's final five games with a serious thigh injury.

Possible starting lineup

Hellas Verona possible starting lineup:

Montipo; Ghilardi, Coppola, Valentini; Tchatchoua, Duda, Serdar, Bernede, Bradaric; Sarr, Mosquera

Cagliari possible starting lineup:

Caprile; Zappa, Palomino, Luperto; Zortea, Adopo, Makoumbou, Augello; Viola, Luvumbo; Pavoletti