Sinisa Mihajlovic hailed today's opponents Udinese for playing “the best football in Italy,” but blasted Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid.
The Fiorentina Coach commented on the style of various squads in Europe this season.
“In Real Madrid-Barcelona, I saw one team playing to win and another playing not to lose. That was the difference,” said Mihajlovic.
Sinisa Mihajlovic hailed today's opponents Udinese for playing “the best football in Italy,” but blasted Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid.
The Fiorentina Coach commented on the style of various squads in Europe this season.
“In Real Madrid-Barcelona, I saw one team playing to win and another playing not to lose. That was the difference,” said Mihajlovic.
“Udinese had a bad start to the campaign, but then played the best football in Italy. They went beyond what anyone could've expected. The Friulani move quickly, have great technique and are a modern team. They deserve to go into the Champions League.”
They are one point adrift of Lazio in fourth place and a defeat in Florence would damage Udinese's hopes of reaching the competition.
Adrian Mutu will be in the stands due to a knee injury, joining Marco Donadel, Mario Alberto Santana and Stevan Jovetic.
The week has been full of speculation over captain Riccardo Montolivo's future, as he has not yet signed a contract extension.
“I am convinced he will stay with us in Florence,” continued the Coach. “He's a great player and a reference point for us, whereas at Juventus he'd just be one of many.”
Jovetic returned to training this week for the first time since snapping multiple knee ligaments in August.
“It was lovely to see him back on the field and everyone applauded as he came in. I saw the look in his eyes, he is reborn and really wants to play, but we have to be cautious. It's better he waits a week more rather than rushes his return.”