Overview
The 0-4 defeat to Cagliari, an opponent who is also struggling in the bottom group, became the "last straw" for the Verona leadership. The reign of coach Paolo Zanetti has therefore officially ended.
Having only won 14 points after 23 rounds, the team under Zanetti has equaled the club's lowest point record in this stage of Serie A and is facing a very clear risk of relegation.
Since Christmas, Hellas has not had any victories in 2026. They have suffered 6 defeats and 2 draws, including 5 goalless matches. Therefore, interim coach Paolo Sammarco will enter a difficult challenge.
To keep hope of relegation, Verona will have to face Pisa - the team right above them in 19th place thanks to a slightly higher goal difference. This match is also a comparison of two sad records. Hellas is the team that earns the fewest home points (6 points after 11 matches), while Pisa is the team with the worst away record (7 points after 11 away trips).
Zanetti leaves after a 4-match losing streak in Serie A at Bentegodi stadium. If Verona continues to lose, they will equal another terrible record for the club. More importantly, it could be an alarming sign for the journey to stay in the highest league in Italy.
However, history is still on the home team's side. After a 0-0 draw in the first leg in October, Pisa has only won 1 of 13 encounters with Verona in Serie A.
Notably, Pisa has also just changed coaches. Alberto Gilardino was sacked earlier this week after only bringing home one win in the league for the whole season. His successor, Oscar Hiljemark, took on the task of bringing the Tuscany team out of the danger zone.
Appointed last summer, Gilardino left his position after two consecutive defeats. Pisa lost the two-goal lead and suffered a 2-6 defeat to Inter, then continued to lose 1-3 at home to Sassuolo.
Currently, under the new coach, Pisa is still the only team in Serie A that has not won any away matches, despite drawing seven times. However, despite all difficulties, they still have the opportunity to approach the safe group with just one victory.
Personnel situation
Because both teams have just changed on the coaching bench, the starting lineup of each side has become much more unpredictable.
On Verona's side, interim coach Paolo Sammarco will not have the service of a series of names. Notably, Amin Sarr is suspended after a red card in the previous round. In addition, Tomas Suslov, Roberto Gagliardini, Rafik Belghali and Armel Bella-Kotchap are all injured.
In attack, since Giovane left Napoli, Gift Orban is considered a rare bright spot when he has scored 7 goals in 20 appearances in the league. Scottish striker Kieron Bowie, may also contribute after moving from Hibernian.
In the opposite direction, Pisa will place their trust in Stefano Moreo in the role of supporting Henrik Meister or Rafiu Durosinmi in attack.
New coach Oscar Hiljemark is again having a headache with a long absence list. Raul Albiol, Juan Cuadrado, Daniel Denoon and Isak Vural are all in the process of treatment. Number one goalkeeper Adrian Semper is also uncertain to recover in time to play.
The positive point for the away team is that Arturo Calabresi may return after a one-match suspension. In addition, English winger Samuel Iling-Junior has also returned to Italy on loan.
Expected lineup:
Hellas Verona: Montipo, Slotsager, Nelsson, Valentini, Lirola, Serdar, Lovric, Bernede, Frese, Mosquera, Orban.
Scuffet, Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Bozhinov, Toure, Marin, Aebischer, Angori, Moreo, Tramoni, Meister.
The match between Verona and Pisa takes place at 2:45 am on February 7 (Vietnam time).
