Paulo Sousa concedes Fiorentina “rivalry” with Juventus makes it a special clash. “We need character, courage and ambition.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“The meeting with the fans went well, just as our rapport has been very good so far,” noted the Coach in a Press conference.
Paulo Sousa concedes Fiorentina “rivalry” with Juventus makes it a special clash. “We need character, courage and ambition.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“The meeting with the fans went well, just as our rapport has been very good so far,” noted the Coach in a Press conference.
“The supporters have always been close to us and, just as they criticised when things went wrong, they cheered us on when we showed the values closest to their ideals. That is what we must work on.
“We are well aware that this is a match that means a lot to the fans and the city. This is a game to be won and we have to give not just everything we have, but more than that.
“Unfortunately the statistics are extraordinary. As I said many times, Juventus also have an important history and sporting culture behind them. It makes them very strong indeed.
“It also means they don’t have to deal with the same problems as elsewhere, so they can rapidly get over difficult moments, are aware of their greatness and my colleague Max Allegri is keeping them constantly motivated and focused on victory.
“They never lower their guard or look at opponents with arrogance. That is something every side should learn from.
“I believe that with all the difficulties this game represents and all that Juve have achieved so far, if you feel this match inside, something more always emerges from the lads. I see they feel the importance and therefore I think positive.
“There is rivalry, it is felt on both sides, it has been there for many years and will be felt for a long time to come. It does permeate every area of the game.”
Fiorentina are a constantly changing unit, fresh from a 2-1 defeat to Udinese, so what approach does Sousa want?
“We need a Fiorentina side with character, hopefully maintaining the ability to emerge from pressure that we showed in Turin, but above all being perfect in our transitions from defence to attack.
“We have to be ambitious, to create chances, have the courage to act in front of goal and be decisive. Matias Vecino is out, there’s no chance of getting him back in time for tomorrow.
“What we had at the start of the season was the group getting the best out of individuals rather than individuals pushing the team along.
“We all feel the importance of this match for the city and the jersey, so we must give more than 100 per cent. We must plan out a strong strategy, because this is a game we have to win.”
The Viola suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat to relegation battlers Udinese on Wednesday evening. Are they becoming tactically predictable?
“It was mainly due to the attitude of our opponents, who sat back and blocked off spaces while catching us on the counter. It might be similar against Juventus, as despite all their quality, they have no problem sitting deep with 10 or 11 players behind the ball.
“We have to make more of our own approach and not rely too much on how the other side plays. Udinese went for vertical balls to the strikers straight away, but we did create chances and it wasn’t enough to turn it around.”
Sousa was asked if his contract with Fiorentina had a release clause to leave early if he received a big offer amid reports of Zenit talks.
“No, there is no clause on that. Are there other clauses? You have ways of getting access to my contract, so I won’t sit here listing the entire thing.
“There was a sense of fatigue and drop in intensity, even for me and not the team, but I tried to overcome it quickly by pushing myself and the squad to the full.
“In my veins I have the desire to win and I always have done. I pushed everyone to win from the start, even risking some internal fractures within the locker room.
“After that, you do feel a drop in intensity and in future I will learn to deal with it much better.”