Beppe Iachini reveals he ‘asked for Jose Callejon’ to join Fiorentina due to his tactical versatility, but is concerned at facing Spezia tomorrow.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
We could see the debut of former Napoli hero Callejon, who arrived as a free agent to replace Federico Chiesa on transfer deadline day.
Beppe Iachini reveals he ‘asked for Jose Callejon’ to join Fiorentina due to his tactical versatility, but is concerned at facing Spezia tomorrow.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
We could see the debut of former Napoli hero Callejon, who arrived as a free agent to replace Federico Chiesa on transfer deadline day.
“I asked for Callejon and the club gave me what I wanted,” revealed the coach in his press conference.
“He has a lot of quality, I convinced him on the phone to embrace the Viola project. Because we play 3-5-2, pushing a wingback forward and bringing Cristiano Biraghi back to defend with four, that’s where Callejon comes into his own. When he needs to defend, as he did at Napoli, he can drop back into the midfield five.
“We’re still seeking our balance, but there’s no such thing as a rigid tactical system nowadays. Football is also not an exact science, so there’s no guarantee of results just because you invest. I don’t have a magic wand, we just have to work hard.”
There was controversy when Chiesa played wearing the captain’s armband in his final match before the transfer to Juventus.
“I take responsibility, because if I’d known he was going to leave, I would’ve made a different choice on captain.”
Franck Ribery, German Pezzella and Gaetano Castrovilli are available, but Borja Valero is still not 100 per cent fit to face Spezia.
“This is the most difficult match, as we had so many players on international duty, whereas Spezia could focus for two weeks only on Fiorentina,” continued Iachini.
“Vincenzo Italiano is a fine coach, while Spezia have quick players in attack. There are no easy games in Serie A, no filler teams you can roll over. I tried to urge everyone to have the utmost focus and the team must play without pressure.”
Lucas Martinez Quarta is in the Fiorentina squad and could make his debut after international duty with Argentina.
“We only worked together for a day and a half, but he already showed some promising characteristics. I am truly happy with his arrival.”