Cesare Prandelli confirms Franck Ribery is out of Fiorentina’s trip to Sampdoria and warns ‘no team can consider itself’ safe from the relegation battle.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Cesare Prandelli confirms Franck Ribery is out of Fiorentina’s trip to Sampdoria and warns ‘no team can consider itself’ safe from the relegation battle.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Unfortunately, he did everything he could to be ready, but Ribery will not be available for this game. We have got Martin Caceres back, while Aleksandar Kokorin must continue his fitness work,” said Prandelli in a press conference.
“Ribery only has a small problem and it’ll be resolved in a few days. The idea is to maintain a certain tactical foundation regardless, but obviously we don’t have another player with Ribery’s characteristics. Based on who I choose to replace him, something in the team will change to suit his role.”
Fiorentina continue to struggle and dropped into the bottom six, but Prandelli assures Sampdoria aren’t much safer.
“No team can consider itself out of this battle. The first eight are in one league, the rest of us are all fighting just to secure safety.
“Tomorrow’s game is the most important of the season, that’s how I always approach the weekend. I am optimistic and feel the team has found the right mentality.
“Hopefully, tomorrow we can win and push Sampdoria into a difficult situation in the table. Claudio Ranieri’s approach is focused on getting right to it, not much passing, go straight for the forward movement. He did an incredible job last season getting Samp to safety and I think he deserves an award for that.”
Prandelli was asked about his future at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, amid reports Sassuolo’s Roberto De Zerbi is being lined up for next season.
“I don’t want to create any problems for the club. I chose to step into this situation because I feel like I owe it to this city. The club will make its decisions, I will have no complaints.”