Montella: ‘No Viola drama’

Vincenzo Montella insists Fiorentina should not “make a drama out of” their 4-2 loss to Roma. “Sometimes these defeats can do us good.”

Vincenzo Montella insists Fiorentina should not “make a drama out of” their 4-2 loss to Roma. “Sometimes these defeats can do us good.”

The result at the Olimpico means the Giallorossi have now caught the Viola in level fourth place.

“We mustn’t make a drama out of it. We were coming off a long line of positive results and it can happen to lose against this Roma side,” said the Coach.

“In fact, sometimes these defeats can do us good. We could’ve done better in our interpretation of the match, which is also true of my choices, but we had the hunger today.

“We played with our heads held high and carry on the same way, with great pride in the work we are doing and the football we are playing.”

David Pizarro was sorely missed in midfield, but could not be present because he is on compassionate leave. Fiorentina wore black armbands tonight in memory of his sister, who died this week aged 32.

“Pizarro is very talented and has a way of tiring out opponents, as they can’t get the ball off him, but I don’t like to talk about those who aren’t here. I focus on the players at my disposal each week.”

Montella started his coaching career at Roma and had been extremely close to a comeback this summer before they opted for Zdenek Zeman.

“Nothing happened with Franco Baldini, though the media made up all sorts of things about some supposed disagreement we had. I said hello at the final whistle.”