Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano explains the need for squad rotation against Lecce and acknowledges Sofyan Amrabat and Luka Jovic situations ‘could develop in the final days of the transfer window.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Franchi at 17.30 UK time (16.30 GMT).
The Viola began their Serie A season with a confident 4-1 victory away to Genoa, but were beaten 1-0 in Austria for the first leg of the Conference League play-off with Rapid Vienna.
As the decider in that UEFA fixture is next Thursday, Italiano revamps his line-up including first starts for Lucas Beltran, Fabiano Parisi and goalkeeper Oliver Christensen.
“A bit of squad rotation is necessary, some lads did not recover from knocks, so with any games close together, it is best to avoid risks and at the same time give other players a chance,” Italiano told DAZN.
“Beltran, Parisi and Christensen all have the opportunity to play and get settled in as quickly as possible. It takes time and patience, but I think soon we will become a real team.”
Inevitably, there were questions because Amrabat and Jovic were left out of the Conference League play-off and are again nowhere to be seen in this Serie A match.
Amrabat is waiting for any formal offers to arrive, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid all interested, while Jovic does not appear to have bids either.
“I repeat, the transfer market being open is disturbing for every coach and I think the directors, clubs and players too, because it is distracting. These are two situations that could develop in the final days of the transfer window and then we’ll see what happens.”