Fiorentina coach Beppe Iachini warned their trip to Udinese behind closed doors will “feel like anything but a football match, so we’re working to get the concentration this fixture deserves.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 17.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
This game was called off a week ago, just hours before it had been due to kick off and with the squad practically on their way to the stadium.
Fiorentina coach Beppe Iachini warned their trip to Udinese behind closed doors will “feel like anything but a football match, so we’re working to get the concentration this fixture deserves.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 17.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
This game was called off a week ago, just hours before it had been due to kick off and with the squad practically on their way to the stadium.
It was meant to be played behind closed doors, something that eventually proved to be the case for every football match in Italy until April 3.
“It’s disappointing first and foremost that this situation has affected so many people, not only those who are ill, but others who had to cut down working hours and therefore been financially hit hard,” Iachini told ViolaChannel.
“We stand with those people at this moment of great difficulty for the country. We hope this can all be taken into consideration so that this virus does not spread any further.
“We get back to playing football, even if that isn’t the most important thing right now. We must try to do our best so that we can continue our work.”
Some teams have been holding practice sessions in the empty stadiums today, so they can get accustomed to the atmosphere.
“It’s going to be strange, certainly. I experienced a game behind closed doors when I was a player and it is definitely not like other matches. We are working to ensure we’ve got the concentration that this fixture deserves.
“It’ll feel like anything but a football match, so the lads have to go beyond the atmosphere and focus more than ever on the job at hand.”
Franck Ribery is back in training after fracturing his ankle in December, but Iachini warns there is no rush to have him play.
“We are pleased to see Ribery back after everything he’s been through, but we’ll follow the indications of the medical staff to understand when he can be 100 per cent in the squad.”
Dalbert is still suspended, with Ribery and Christian Kouame out of action.
Fiorentina squad for Udinese: Agudelo, Badelj, Benassi, Brancolini, Caceres, Castrovilli, Ceccherini, Chiesa, Cutrone, Dalle Mura, Dragowski, Duncan, Ghezzal, Igor, Lirola, Milenkovic, Pezzella, Pulgar, Sottil, Terracciano, Terzic, Venuti, Vlahovic