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Verona DG: 'Week 8 not a last chance saloon'
The Scaligeri have made a poor start to the season, failing to win a single game in seven attempts.
Things went from bad to worse after Luca Toni went down with injury against Atalanta, with Hellas losing a precious lead at home in a 2-1 defeat to Lazio and drawing with Chievo in the derby.
“No-one was expecting us to end up in this position, but we’ll get ourselves out of it together” Gardini told the club’s website.
Gardini pointed out the club’s growing sick-list as a major factor. Verona haven’t exactly been given a fair shake by Lady Luck, with a raft of key players going down early on, including talisman Luca Toni. Midfielder Romulo and former Barcelona centre-back Rafael Marquez are also hurt.
“The situation isn’t easy, no-one can doubt that our injury situation has had an impact, as it did last season”.
Still, the Director General has no doubt that the gialloblu can make a spirited comeback. Upon obtaining promotion to the elite three seasons ago, the Veronese outfit stunned everyone with a 10th-place finish, which they followed up with 13th last year.
“Luca Toni is a key player, but we’re convinced that starting from the Udinese game we’ll be back to where a team of our quality belongs in the table.
Gardini was also adamant that the club wasn’t pressing the panic button.
“We’re not acting like the eight week of the season is a last hope saloon.
“Staying up is our Scudetto”.