Pre-match news..Hellas-Sassuolo

News ahead of the third game of the season

INJURIES- Hellas held a closed training session on Thursday, with two major injury doubts. Defender Albertazzi will 99% miss the game, whilst forward Luca Toni is a major doubt after picking up a muscle strain early in the week.

OPPONENTS- Sassuolo will miss two key players, Marrone and Berardi. This significantly makes the neroverde weaker as they look for their first win of the season (losing to Torino 0-2 and Livorno at 'home' 1-4) Defender Marcello Gazzola said "The season has started, but our campaign begins in Verona. Their fans always make a difference, but on the field it's 11 vs 11"

REFEREE- Massimiliano Irrati of Pistoia (Tuscany) will take charge of the Bentegodi game. He ironically took charge of last seasons 1-1 draw between the clubs in Modena, giving Hellas a penalty (which Gomez missed). His overall record when taking charge of Verona games is..Games 11..Verona wins 6..draws 4..lost 1.

Preparing for Sassuolo

News and views in the run-up to next weekends game at Bentegodi..

Mandorlini- "The break has been useful in allowing us to rest after intense pre-season and first two games. The market has been great, Iturbe gives us some pace that Martinho aside we were missing.
Sassuolo attack well, they haven't had a great start to the season but it's only two games, they won't panic."

Injury news- Bomber Luca Toni missed the friendly game against the Primavera side, he has been working in the swimming pool after a small muscle injury. The medical team will evaluate him in the run up to the Sassuolo match.

Icelandic midfielder Emil Hallfredsson returned back early from international duty after problems with his knee and will continue the recovery this week. Jorginho is also on a differing training routine as he battles to be fit for next weekend. Albertazzi and Agostini continue their recovery from injury, whilst the only certainty to miss the game is Cirigliano who has had dental work.

Laner- "A win against Sassuolo will be worth double in our fight for safety. The results have been good so far, beating Milan was great, losing to Roma is no disgrace."