Udinese vs Chievo Preview
Udinese midfielder Giampiero Pinzi is confident his side can maintain their impressive run at home when they entertain Chievo.
The Bianconeri, currently ninth in Serie A with 23 points, have won five of their last six league games at the Friuli stadium and Pinzi is pleased to begin the new year with a home game.
"If only we could always play at home," Pinzi said.
"The Friuli gives us wings and our results there speak for themselves.
"We are hoping to extend our positive run on Thursday.
"We have worked intensely during the Christmas break and we are looking forward for the first game of the year."
Tomorrow's encounter will have a special significance for Pinzi, who spent two seasons at Chievo before joining Udinese last summer.
"My two years at Chievo were very important to me and helped me grow to become a better player," he said.
"With respect to last season Chievo now have more quality but the mentality remains the same, that of being aggressive, to battle until the last second and to help each other out.
"In order to beat them we will have to show the same determination and concentrate from start to finish."
A win tomorrow could see Chievo leapfrog Udinese in the standings.
The Verona outfit held Juventus to a 1-1 draw in their last game before the winter break which lifted them two points behind Udinese.
But Chievo have not won on the road since September 22 when they beat Napoli 3-1.
Chievo coach Stefano Pioli will be without suspended defender Andrea Mantovani and injured midfielder Luciano.