Paulo Sousa warns Fiorentina need “the mind and the heart” to push them to victory against arch rivals Juventus.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“I am very happy and grateful, because life is giving me the opportunity to face teams that make me grow. I am very happy to be in Florence, I give everything I have to work with this club and these wonderful fans,” said the Coach in a Press conference.
Paulo Sousa warns Fiorentina need “the mind and the heart” to push them to victory against arch rivals Juventus.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“I am very happy and grateful, because life is giving me the opportunity to face teams that make me grow. I am very happy to be in Florence, I give everything I have to work with this club and these wonderful fans,” said the Coach in a Press conference.
“One of Juve’s great strengths is in their history and culture, the way they anticipate problems and have this great calm even during difficult times that allowed them to rediscover their natural level.
“As for Fiorentina, we are well aware of our capabilities and potential. The idea that we can compete with the best and not set limits is becoming stronger and stronger within the club.
“We can play as protagonists with our style of football and aim to win, whether home or away against any team.
“The heart pushes you on, but you need the mind too, because concentration to make the best positional decisions and be sharp is essential.
“Juve are chasing the pack, but with the confidence of four years of success, so that allowed them to stay calm. On the other hand, when there are clubs without a history of titles and feel the pressure of needing to win, the heart can overcome the mind.
“Unfortunately for us, Juventus are on fine form now, so we hoped to face them earlier! It will be a wonderful game for everything that awaits us in the future too.”
There is a tight title race at the top of the table with Inter, Fiorentina, Roma, Napoli and Juventus.
“Roma, in my view, are the most balanced team. Since Juve found their balance again in terms of results and fitness, they are the strongest defensively, the most mature and know how to read the various moments of the game.
“Fiorentina will be increasingly courageous and ambitious. All my decisions so far in Florence have been aimed at replacing fear and concern with courage and ambition, to play for the victory from start to finish.
“Our only objective is to be protagonists. The way to results is to be a protagonist, to get consistent results and that way approaching success. I have never disguised that the aim is for this team to have an identity, to enjoy its football and approach every game to win. Doing that week by week is keeping us close to a very important position.
“We don’t have dips in concentration so much as make bad decisions provoked by the pressure of our opponents. At this stage of the season and when two teams of similar level face off, the details make the difference.”
Is this his most difficult match on the Fiorentina bench?
“It is a very difficult game, because this Juve is in great shape and found their best system. They defend very well and everyone is involved in protecting the back three then going on a rapid counter-attack.
“They have quality individuals for passing and crosses, so we have to play at a very high level to hold out in a balanced match and at times dominate so we can win.
“Unfortunately we had two fewer days to prepare for this game and tactically that can mean a lot, but on the bright side we have an extra five points from Juventus, so that makes me happy.”
Sousa spent some of his playing career in a Juventus jersey, so how does he expect to be greeted in Turin?
“I have always been shown a lot of respect from my former clubs. I worked as a professional, respecting my clubs and fans, so I believe they respect me too. It’s wonderful to see people and places where I had good times.
“I have to thank my father, as he said the best way to respect yourself is to respect others and pretend the same in return.
“It is much better to experience this game as a player than a Coach. I always tell the lads, as long as they have the joy of playing and the fitness to continue, they should make the most of this time. As Coaches, we can only try to help the players be in the best condition.
“Fiorentina fans are very proud of us and we want to intensify that pride, with a club that cares so much about the side and we have this alchemy. I see the fans closer and closer to us because this is why we are playing.”