Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella is preferring to focus on his own side as Napoli’s attacking firepower ‘gives me a headache’.

Fiorentina kick off the new season against Napoli on Saturday, in what is arguably a battle of the most-changed Serie A outfit against the least.

“I’m very happy, certain players like Badelj and Pulgar have arrived,” Montella said at a Press conference.

Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella is preferring to focus on his own side as Napoli’s attacking firepower ‘gives me a headache’.

Fiorentina kick off the new season against Napoli on Saturday, in what is arguably a battle of the most-changed Serie A outfit against the least.

“I’m very happy, certain players like Badelj and Pulgar have arrived,” Montella said at a Press conference.

“They can complement each other, but they need players outside them who are a bit more defensive than the ones we have.

“The calendar doesn’t help us, it’s not an excuse but rather reality. I’m sure the team will get even better because we have areas that need improving.

“We want to have a recognisable style of play, one with an identity and without fear.

“We’re facing a team in Napoli who have changed the least, whereas we’re the ones who have changed the most.

“They’re a team who have an average of 80 shots per game. They’re a team who have known where they want to go for so many years.

“We’re understandably behind in terms of teambuilding. We’re facing the second-best team in the League.

“We’ll need all our energy and concentration against a great team. We need to be strong as a team and supported by our fans.

“It’s a difficult game because if I think about Napoli’s goalscoring statistics, it gives me a bit of a headache.”

The Coach was then asked about man-of-the-moment Franck Ribery and the best position for Federico Chiesa after he suggested he could play the Italian as a false nine.

“Certainly he’s lagging behind a bit in terms of fitness. I talked to him for a long time and he wants to make himself available and be at a competitive level to help the young players and help out on the field.

“He wants to be here. I’ll take him to Naples and I hope he can play. As for Chiesa, he expresses himself best on the wing.

“Intuitions sometimes come by chance. Just look Mertens, who – out of necessity – has become a formidable striker, like Totti did.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tickets Kit Collector