Fiorentina” data-scaytid=”74″>Fiorentina open the Serie A season on Saturday against Udinese” data-scaytid=”76″>Udinese, but Vincenzo Montella insists “the team is not yet complete.”
Fiorentina open the Serie A season on Saturday against Udinese, but Vincenzo Montella insists “the team is not yet complete.”
The 2012-13 campaign kicks off at 17.00 UK time tomorrow at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Click here for a match preview.
“I am very excited, as I was for our Coppa Italia match. This is an important debut and there are a lot of expectations around us, even if the team is not yet complete,” said the Coach.
“Not all the players are 100 per cent ready either, but that is why I am eager to see them at work. We need to become a real team, so it takes time for the great new players to gel with the others. I thank the club, above all for how calm they helped us feel.
“We still need a new striker and have an idea on the type we want, so must find someone suitable.”
Stevan Jovetic future continues to hang in the balance and he could be named captain tomorrow, though Fiorentina still have no first choice for the role.
“I don’t believe much in the armband, as often the most important players do not wear it. We have several different options, so we’ll see,” continued Montella.
“People seem to talk about a buy-out clause in his contract, but I don’t know if it even exists. All I can see is that Stevan is training hard and never asked to leave.”
Opponents Udinese held to a 1-1 draw by Sporting Braga in the Champions League play-off on Wednesday and could be distracted by the upcoming second leg.
“I don’t think they are disadvantaged by playing the Champions League tie, as the team is certainly ready, above all psychologically. They are a solid unit and can count on Antonio Di Natale, an extraordinary striker.
“In the Coppa Italia against Novara we made some mistakes that could prove fatal if repeated with Udinese. I don’t really like the famous Spain-style tiki-taka, as if after a long period of possession you lose the ball then Udinese can hit you on the break.”
Juan Manuel Vargas has been left out of the squad, confirming he is on the market.
Fiorentina squad for Udinese: Aquilani, Borja Valero, Camporese, Capezzi, Cassani, Cuadrado, El Hamdaoui, Fernandez, Hegazi, Jovetic, Lazzari, Ljajic, Nastasic, Neto, Olivera, Pasqual, Pizarro, Rodriguez, Romulo, Roncaglia, Seferovic, Viviano, Lupatelli