Stefano Pioli and Fiorentina are raring to go against Chievo. “We’re on the path towards fighting for Champions League places.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.30 UK time (18.30 GMT), click here for a match preview.
The Viola were meant to start their campaign last week at Marassi, but the match with Sampdoria was postponed to September 19 as a mark of respect after the Ponte Morandi collapse in Genoa.
Stefano Pioli and Fiorentina are raring to go against Chievo. “We’re on the path towards fighting for Champions League places.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.30 UK time (18.30 GMT), click here for a match preview.
The Viola were meant to start their campaign last week at Marassi, but the match with Sampdoria was postponed to September 19 as a mark of respect after the Ponte Morandi collapse in Genoa.
“Finally, we can start talking about football again and we can’t wait to get out there and play after a very long summer,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“We started training at the start of July with the plan of playing at the end of that month. Instead we’re at the end of August and still haven’t played a minute of competitive football.”
The plans had changed when Milan were excluded from the Europa League over Financial Fair Play violations, which would’ve bumped Atalanta up to the group stage and given Fiorentina a spot in the play-offs.
However, the Rossoneri had the decision overturned on appeal and Pioli’s men missed out on Europe.
“I want to see the players use what we do in training and put it into the match situation. I am curious to see the potential in this squad, added to the solid foundations we created last season.”
Chievo had been leading Juventus 2-1 last week before capitulating 3-2 in stoppages.
“We’ve got to bridge the fitness gap with enthusiasm and desire to play. Chievo are hard to beat and have some very talented players who caused problems for Juve,” continued Pioli.
“Our objective is to create a Fiorentina side that is sparkling from start to finish, focusing on its quality and never giving up. In life and in sport, you always have something to prove.
“Last season we started out with a new project and we are on the path towards getting Fiorentina back into the fight for Champions League places. It might take three or four years, but we have to take it one game at a time.”
Last term was inevitably dominated by the sudden death of captain Davide Astori in February and the club’s training ground was renamed in his honour.
“Davide is here, he is with us at the training ground every day. He left something behind in all of us. We’ll work to ensure his values are passed on to the new arrivals and I think we’re achieving that.”
Kevin Mirallas is not 100 per cent fit, although Marko Pjaca has shaken off a muscular issue.
Jordan Veretout is suspended and Cyril Thereau on the treatment table.