Vincenzo Montella insists Fiorentina “aren’t dead yet” in Serie A or the Europa League as they visit Empoli for the Tuscan Derby.
It kicks off at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
The Viola have lost four of their last five Serie A games, sliding down the pecking order for UEFA qualification, and on Thursday were hammered 3-0 by Sevilla in the Europa League semi-final.
Vincenzo Montella insists Fiorentina “aren’t dead yet” in Serie A or the Europa League as they visit Empoli for the Tuscan Derby.
It kicks off at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
The Viola have lost four of their last five Serie A games, sliding down the pecking order for UEFA qualification, and on Thursday were hammered 3-0 by Sevilla in the Europa League semi-final.
“There must be no alibis, no excessive alarm, no distractions. We are taking on a well-trained Empoli side and this match requires the utmost attention,” warned the Coach in his Press conference.
“As for the semi-final, we aren’t dead yet. This is the spirit that must carry us on over the next few days. Defeats must be evaluated in their entirety. I am eager to play them again and I think we’ve got a real chance.
“We have to believe, though naturally that 3-0 result does hurt. What do I ask of my men? Undoubtedly to love and stand up for themselves.”
Montella also stood up for his own record and denied this season would become a failure.
“When the whole campaign is evaluated, and we’re not at that stage yet, we must consider every element. Fiorentina had some surprising slip-ups perhaps because we had done something more earlier. There needs to be a balanced judgment.
“I am relaxed about the future because I can see the team wants to work. I have the same enthusiasm as before. With a bit of arrogance, I can say I feel like a better Coach than I was when I started out.”
Empoli boss Maurizio Sarri has been linked to the benches at Milan and even Fiorentina.
“Their strengths right now are organisation, a relaxed state of mind and enthusiasm. I still believe Fiorentina are superior and I want to win this game.”