Vincenzo Montella said Fiorentina are “mature” after beating Juventus and Mo Salah went “beyond expectations.”
He became the first Viola boss to beat Juve twice since 1992, while Fiorentina are the first Italian team to conquer the Juventus Stadium in over two years, securing a 2-1 Coppa Italia semi-final first leg result in Turin.
Vincenzo Montella said Fiorentina are “mature” after beating Juventus and Mo Salah went “beyond expectations.”
He became the first Viola boss to beat Juve twice since 1992, while Fiorentina are the first Italian team to conquer the Juventus Stadium in over two years, securing a 2-1 Coppa Italia semi-final first leg result in Turin.
“The team has reached a certain level of maturity and after some time together the players understand me and I understand them,” the Coach told Rai Sport.
“It was a great performance, starting from the strikers, who also worked well in defence. They all knew we could only achieve the result with the sacrifice of everybody.
“I knew Juventus wanted to reach the Final and expect an equally tough second leg. I was afraid my team could be sated by recent results and in the first half we were a little passive.
“We showed a lot more courage after the break and that’s when the winning goal arrived.”
Has Juan Cuadrado’s exit in favour of Salah given Fiorentina more tactical options?
“Yes to a degree. The whole team is growing, not just Salah, though he is scoring a lot of goals. Salah is in a state of grace and we hope he can continue, but the team has been consistent since November-December.
“Salah settled in very well. We knew he was strong, but in all honesty his immediate impact has gone beyond expectations.
“We have a squad with many alternatives and the January transfer window gave me some other options to choose from. I haven’t forgotten we brought in Alberto Gilardino too and he will have more space.
“The team is confident, aware of what it can do and also remains humble.”
The second leg will be on April 7 and last season Juve turned around a 1-1 first leg draw in Florence for the Europa League.
“Obviously we hope the result will be better, but we cannot think we’ve already qualified. We will enjoy this for a little while and in a month get focused again to play a similar performance, while in the meanwhile we have other objectives.”
Norberto Neto was also decisive, returning after a contract dispute because of Ciprian Tatarusanu’s injury.
“He works very hard and with great concentration, something I realised at the start of my time at Fiorentina. I believe in people and everything he’s had so far has been earned with hard work.
“Even if he has made other choices, he’s a good lad who is giving everything for Fiorentina right now.”