Vincenzo Italiano underlined the difficulties for Fiorentina ahead of their Serie A clash with Inter, noting how his side will need ‘to be ready to do battle’ on the pitch.
The Viola did well in the first half of the season and find themselves fourth in the Serie A table entering the 21st matchday, having picked up 34 points from 10 wins and four draws. They’ve also progressed in the Coppa Italia and Europa League, looking positive under Italiano.
Fiorentina lost a little steam in Saudi Arabia last week, suffering elimination in the Supercoppa Italia semi-finals after a 3-0 loss to Napoli, leaving them with regrets considering the riches on offer for reaching the final.
Speaking to Fiorentina’s media department via TMW, Italiano first looked ahead to Fiorentina’s clash with Inter.
“It’s an important match for us, it’ll be difficult because Inter are doing good from all points of view. But we’re playing at home, and we had the opportunity to work throughout the week on our playing principles and think of something useful to put Inter in difficulty.
“I hope it was useful for tomorrow, to be ready to do battle against one of the strongest teams.”
He reflected on the Viola’s disappointing work at the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia.
“We won’t hide the fact that we’re disappointed by what we could’ve achieved, even if the team did what they had to do, apart from the unrepresentative result.
“Now we have to project ourselves into the league with the desire, the anger and the determination to have an important journey, where we want to score points and do well, this is the objective.”
The Fiorentina coach commented on the team’s position in the league table and their goals in the second half of the season.
“Good position for us for what we did in the first half, no one can take that away from us. But the second half is always a different season, we need to continue to have fuel and push, facing the matches with determination because the objectives become decisive for everyone.
“We want to continue this important path in the second half also because we’re in an important spot in the table and we want to stay there.”
Finally, Italiano discussed the importance of a packed Stadio Artemio Franchi when Inter visit.
“The moment they turn on and start backing us, we can express ourselves in an exhilarating way and have great performances with quality, and in moments of difficulty they can give us a hand against this battleship.”