Fiorentina Coach Paulo Sousa wanted to “challenge myself” against Serie A tacticians and feels Nikola Kalinic joined Blackburn too soon.
The Viola play some of the best football in Italy and are fighting for the top spots as well as qualification for the Europa League knockout stages.
“I would’ve liked more time to dedicate to training sessions, but after our summer camp the fixture list was packed and we had to balance things out,” he told Calciomercato.com.
Fiorentina Coach Paulo Sousa wanted to “challenge myself” against Serie A tacticians and feels Nikola Kalinic joined Blackburn too soon.
The Viola play some of the best football in Italy and are fighting for the top spots as well as qualification for the Europa League knockout stages.
“I would’ve liked more time to dedicate to training sessions, but after our summer camp the fixture list was packed and we had to balance things out,” he told Calciomercato.com.
“From the first day I saw my players were eager to work and this attitude helps the group to grow. The results are thanks to the work we’ve done together and putting the team before any individual. That represents the foundation we can build on to then express ourselves at our best level.”
Kalinic arrived with little fanfare, but has been Fiorentina’s top scorer with nine Serie A goals and one in the Europa League.
“Nikola is a lad I had already noticed when I was managing in England. His quality, potential and characteristics were all very important in my eyes,” revealed Sousa.
“Then his transfer to Blackburn Rovers arrived perhaps too early and there were too many expectations around him. It can happen in football that you rise to the top quickly and just as fast end up on the margins of the primary Leagues. I continued to follow his progress.”
While Maurizio Sarri of Napoli has urged players not to think of the Scudetto, Sousa encouraged Fiorentina and their fans to dream big.
“We are fortunate enough to work completely immersed in the passion that is football. We work to enjoy ourselves and entertain others. The fans, especially ours, deserve all the enthusiasm that here in Florence is truly special.
“It seems to me the least we can do to send these sentiments towards the pleasure and the joy of playing well. It is possible to win while getting as close as possible to our targets and trying to give our all without limits.
“After that, I’ve always talked of realism, but passion has to be a strong motivator. The passion in Florence for the team is truly tangible, as it goes down from generation to generation, from grandfathers to the children, men and women included.
“One of the main reasons behind my choice to manage in Italy was the chance to challenge myself against some very well-prepared Coaches. The dynamics of tactics and strategies are constantly evolving and this is fundamental motivation for my growth and that of my players.
“The club knows what it has to do in January to consolidate the squad and give us the chance to continue along this path in the most competitive way possible.”
Sousa was asked how he manages to relax in his time off.
“I like to rest with my family, preferably immersed in nature, reading or taking walks with my dogs.”