Stefano Pioli urges Fiorentina to “step up” ahead of the Tuscan Derby with Empoli and is confident Giovanni Simeone is back to his old self.

It kicks off at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.

The Viola are hungry for results, having not won a game since late September, managing six draws and two defeats.

Stefano Pioli urges Fiorentina to “step up” ahead of the Tuscan Derby with Empoli and is confident Giovanni Simeone is back to his old self.

It kicks off at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.

The Viola are hungry for results, having not won a game since late September, managing six draws and two defeats.

"At my first Press conference as Fiorentina Coach I felt driven," said Pioli ahead of the game. "Now it's been a year and a half, and I feel ever more driven.

"The players have been working with the right motivation, but what matters is what we can bring to the pitch, which must be the quality, the determination and the will to make sacrifices.”

Empoli are on an impressive run of 10 points from four Serie A games since Beppe Iachini replaced Aurelio Andreazzoli.

"Iachini was my partner, we played together for several years, particularly in Verona and Florence. We have many shared memories.

"With all due respect to him, though, I don't want to speak about his team, but about ours. We managed to create in-game situations in our last match against Sassuolo that could give us the upper hand here.

"We have to replicate the last 15 minutes of that game and keep them up for all 95 of this one, exploiting every situation to our advantage.

"We used to concede very little, so allowing six goals over the last two games is really too much. Our coverage has not been adequate, and our rhythm and intensity have been insufficient. We'll have to take greater risks.

"The Coach was also asked whether this match could be defined as a crossways for his team, a point of no-return.

"It's an important match, clearly, and we're playing for three points which would mean a lot. Not winning for such a long time ends up affecting our players and not just our place in the standings.

"However, I don't think this particular game will be decisive for our future or for our final objectives. We just have to work with great care and continuity."

Simeone finally ended his 10-game goal drought in the 3-3 draw with Sassuolo, but is still struggling for form and confidence.

"The goal was very important, he is back to being the wilful and aggressive player we all know. [Christian] Norgaard and [Bryan] Dabo are both in good form, so I'll select the one among them who better suits this match.

"As for Pjaca, he has to react psychologically. His quality as a player is beyond debate, but he needs to find his inner strength."

The results crisis has led to grumbling among the fans, but the Coach insists the outlook must remain positive.

"They don't need me to say anything to them. That a Fiorentina fan should love his shirt, his players, his club is something that goes without saying, especially when things get tough. I'm sure they'll never give up on us.

"I had a meeting with them and they showed us their support, so we have to give our absolute best. They also told us not to listen to them too much, which I think is very important!"

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