Montella: "This run will show us where we are"

Vincenzo Montella acknowledged the importance of Fiorentina’s upcoming run of games – starting with the trip to the Stadio Mario Rigamonti to face Brescia on Monday night – as the Viola coach appeared at his pre-match press conference on Saturday.

“Between the last two international breaks, we became a team,” said Montella. “We picked up points and showed that we have a clear identity. Now we have another cycle of games that will certainly show us how far we can go.”

Montella refused to buy into suggestions that Brescia are an easier test for Fiorentina than some of the Viola’s recent games.
“Brescia have played six games, four of them away from home,” he began. “They’ve got two wins and have a game in hand. They did themselves proud against Juventus and lost due to two set plays and they were in the game until the end against Napoli and AC Milan. They’re a very dangerous side – the third-best side in the league in terms of duels won. They’re the most direct side in the league, despite not having a lot of possession.”
Brescia have had a longer rest than Fiorentina after their game against Sassuolo was called off following the death of Giorgio Squinzi, but Montella was coy on whether that will prove to be an advantage for the hosts on Monday.
“I don’t know – it depends on the result,” he said. “There are pros and cons. We’ve been on the right track in terms of our intensity and our preparation for games, but we knew [the international break] was coming. I don’t think about these things too much. I think Monday will be a very intense game and perhaps the extra rest will come into it.”
Montella also gave an update on the fitness of Federico Chiesa, who picked up an injury while on international duty with Italy.
“Federico is OK – he’s training,” said the boss. “Obviously I’m assessing him. He’s perhaps not at 100%. We’re focusing on recovery today and then tomorrow will give us a bit more clarity.”
There was also a word on Brazilian forward Pedro, who Montella is continuing to ease into life in Florence following the move from South America.
“We’ve been very clear on Pedro but I’ll say it again: we’re managing him to ensure that his fitness grows and to prepare him for the intensity of Italian football, which is a lot higher than the Brazilian league in physical and mental terms,” he said.

Published: Sun, 20 Oct 2019 12:40:00 +0200

Source: Fiorentina Official website en.violachannel.tv