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In what was Vincenzo Montella’s 100th match in charge, Fiorentina put in a determined and impressive performance to beat Guingamp this evening, with goals from Vargas, Cuadrado and Bernadeschi.

After falling behind to Vargas’ opener, the French outfit were reduced to ten men at the end of the first half, after Diallo was dismissed for two bookable offences. The Viola were forced to substitute Borja Valero at half-time after he took a knock to his left leg, which will be examined by club medical staff in the coming days.

The impressive Milan Badelj was the man to replace the Spaniard and there was an excellent debut too for Micah Richards, who came on midway through the second half. The trio of debutants was completed by Basanta, a commanding figure in the heart of the defence.

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Viola coach Vincenzo Montella has named a 21-man squad for Fiorentina’s Europa League Group K opener against French side Guingamp at the Stadio Franchi tomorrow (21:05).

Here’s the list:

Neto, Babacar, Tatarusanu, Bernardeschi, Aquilani, Tomovic, Lezzerini, Richards, Lazzari, Savic, Kurtic, Cuadrado, Vargas, Pasqual, Pizarro, Alonso, Badelj, Basanta, Ilicic, Borja, Gomez.
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Vincenzo Montella and Alberto Aquilani spoke to the gathered media at the Stadio Franchi ahead of Fiorentina’s Europa League Matchday 1 meeting with Guingamp. Here’s what they had to say:

Vincenzo Montella

Does your team sense that tomorrow is an important game?
“We’re taking it very seriously. Guingamp are a good side and we’ll need to play as we know we can, maybe taking the chances that slipped away from us against Genoa on Sunday.”

Are you aiming to go all the way in Europe?
“We want to do better than last season so that we can continue to establish ourselves on the international scene.”

Are you under more pressure after not winning either of your first two Serie A matches?
“No. We just need to keep doing what we’re doing and be a bit more clinical.”

Do you want to reach the final?
“We have a competitive team so we have to try and go all the way.”

Will Gomez start tomorrow?
“I’ll make a decision on that tomorrow.”

Do you think he was criticised too harshly after the Genoa game?
“Criticism is part and parcel of the game but as a coach you have to maintain a level head.”

Could Bernardeschi play a similar role to Matos last year?
“Federico will get his chance in this competition as he will in the league.”

Tatarusanu?
“He’s a experienced pair of hands. I’ll decide tomorrow whether to pick him for this game.”

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As officially confirmed by UEFA last March, Cuadrado will not serve any suspension (in accordance with Article 22.05 of Europa League regulations) for the sanction he received in last year’s competition. Cuadrado received a yellow card which would have meant he missed the quarter-finals, whilst Gonzalo Rodriguez will miss one match as punishment for his straight red card.

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