Paulo Sousa told Fiorentina to focus on Belenenses in the Europa League and ignore the Serie A leadership.
It kicks off in Portugal on Thursday at 18.00 UK time (17.00 GMT) and the Viola need a result after their opening 2-1 home defeat to Basel.
Since then, they’ve crushed Inter 4-1 and gone top of the Serie A table for the first time in 16 years.
Paulo Sousa told Fiorentina to focus on Belenenses in the Europa League and ignore the Serie A leadership.
It kicks off in Portugal on Thursday at 18.00 UK time (17.00 GMT) and the Viola need a result after their opening 2-1 home defeat to Basel.
Since then, they’ve crushed Inter 4-1 and gone top of the Serie A table for the first time in 16 years.
“How do we feel on top of the table? With more responsibility, but it is very important to remain concentrated, because otherwise you won’t improve and in fact will be torn down,” said the Coach in a Press conference.
“Which game is more important, Belenenses or Atalanta on Sunday? Without a doubt tomorrow’s match.
“In their history Belenenses have always had some difficulties, but were able to overcome them with great results. The statistics show they are as organised and gritty as their Coach.
“We must be aware of what it means to have lost the first game, to come out concentrated to bring home the three points.
“We must always respect our principles of football, because we want to control the game in order to reach victory, seeing as we didn’t start the Europa League on the right foot. My team is going through a general period of growth.
“Obviously I am immensely happy to meet up with a friend like Sa Pinto again. I am pleased he’s getting positive results. It is also special for me to come back home to Portugal and experience a Portuguese stadium atmosphere again.
“Anywhere I go to work, I try to stay true to myself and those values that are important to me. That goes from quality of work to efficiency. They are all important. I believe that the humility and strength of every individual player allow us to go forward with heads held high as a team.”
Facundo Roncaglia “has pain rather than an injury, but we don’t want it to get worse, so we’ll decide what to do tomorrow.”
Sousa also hinted Giuseppe Rossi has “a very good chance” of being in the starting XI.