Cagliari boss Massimiliano Allegri has warned his team they must close ranks if they are to stop Bari from claiming three points on Sunday.

Both teams suffered defeats in the last round of Serie A fixtures with Cagliari losing 3-0 at Inter Milan and Bari falling at Atalanta.

The Sardinian outfit go into the encounter at the Sant' Elia in ninth place, level on 32 points with Bari and eager to return to winning ways having claimed just two points from their last three games.

"We could face some difficulties against our opponents on Sunday," said Allegri.

"Bari are one of the teams playing some brilliant football today and, despite their 1-0 loss at Atalanta, have put on some excellent performances.

"Against Bari, it is important to maintain the right balance.

"By balance I mean by having a certain number of men behind the ball.

"The priority becomes defending with 11 men and it is not enough to just think about it.

"It is necessary to be in a physical condition that allows for it."

Allegri was unimpressed by his team's performance at the San Siro last weekend.

The Rossoblu were 2-0 down after 20 minutes and there was no way back.

"We made too many mistakes," admitted Allegri. "You cannot do that often against a great team like Inter because they punish you.

"Once you are 2-0 down early on, it just becomes a big mountain to climb."

Allegri's men will fancy their chances of getting a result against Bari, with their last defeat at home dating back to October 4.

Bari have not won on their travels since beating Chievo 2-1 in Verona on October 19.

Last weekend's slip in Bergamo was their sixth loss away from Bari.

Ventura knows his side will have to show a vast improvement if they are to avoid their sixth defeat in seven games away from home.

"Our numbers suggest that we are struggling on the road," said Ventura. "I didn't see a huge determination from my players to claim a win at Atalanta.

"I hope I will see that in Cagliari because we still have some way to go before we defend our Serie A status.

"We cannot depend just on the results at home to achieve our aim.

"I expect my players to show the same willingness they display at home on the road."

To complicate matters for Ventura, star player Paulo Barreto serves a one-match ban.

The Brazilian forward has been a pivotal player for Bari, scoring 10 league goals this season.

Riccardo Meggiorini will replace Barreto in Bari's attack.

Bari duo Alessandro Parisi and Vitalii Kutuzov are still sidelined through injury but the visitors welcome back midfielder Sergio Almiron returns from suspension.

The hosts will be without midfielder Daniele Dessena, who sustained a muscular injury at the weekend.

Michael Agazzi will defend Cagliari's goal with Italy international Federico Marchetti and Cristiano Lupatelli still out injured.