Fiorentina Coach Paulo Sousa targets the “partial but beautiful” achievement of being winter champions.
This weekend sees the end of the first half of the Serie A season, with the team who is top after Week 19 being referred to as Campione d’Inverno, having ‘won’ the first half of the season.
“Being top always matters,” Sousa admitted in his Press conference ahead of the Lazio game, with his side just a point behind Inter.
Fiorentina Coach Paulo Sousa targets the “partial but beautiful” achievement of being winter champions.
This weekend sees the end of the first half of the Serie A season, with the team who is top after Week 19 being referred to as Campione d’Inverno, having ‘won’ the first half of the season.
“Being top always matters,” Sousa admitted in his Press conference ahead of the Lazio game, with his side just a point behind Inter.
“We work to win every game. Results give you everything: trust, recognition, the will to put in even more.
“The lads are giving everything, when I’ve asked things of them they’ve responded with ambition and courage.
“I’d be happy with this partial but beautiful achievement.”
The Viola welcome Lazio to Stadio Artemio Franchi, and Sousa praises the club’s fans for helping them to the higher reaches of the table.
“Since the start they’ve been an important weapon for us. The city is very passionate, and involved in the love for this shirt.
“We have to get stronger and stronger, be more united and make it clear we want to compete against the best.
”Fiorentina haven’t beaten Lazio since March 2013, but the Portuguese Coach is looking to reverse that trend tomorrow.
“The precedents aren’t good, but we want to change that,” Sousa explained.
“For the past two years we haven’t won once, but I’m not worried by the schedule. We’ve had three doping controls, including today, so that means we’re important.
“Why? They’re just giving us the importance that we have. We’re at the top of the table, I have nothing to reproach anyone.
“Lazio are a team with a very good Coach [Stefano Pioli]. For two years they were playing with the same players, and did very well, now there have been some structural changes.
“They haven’t been getting results, but collectively and individually they’re a good team, with values and quality.
“We’ll have to be at our best to beat them.”