APPIANO GENTILE – Walter Mazzarri opened his press conference today by looking back to the game against Sassuolo before quickly turning his attentions to tomorrow’s match against Fiorentina at the Stadio Franchi.

He began: "Winning last Sunday was definitely good for us but I’ve tried not to place too much importance on it when speaking to the lads. Subconsciously though winning puts you in a different frame of mind. Now we need to start stringing together results and performances more consistently. It’s not going to be easy because Fiorentina are a great team and they know exactly how to cause problems for you."

The Nerazzurri boss continued: "Fiorentina are doing magnificently and they’re buoyed by enthusiasm too. They’re also playing at home. We’re up against them at a time when they’re on a wave. It’s clear to everyone just how hard tomorrow is going to be."

Mazzarri was also probed about his relationship with Vincenzo Montella: "I’m not going to discuss private phone calls with you but there was nothing to clear up. Things were said on both sides and it finished there and then."

He was also invited to comment on recent remarks by Aurelio De Laurentiis. "It’s Valentine’s Day, perhaps he loves me too much. He tried to keep hold of me until the very end. I guess he was too in love," the coach smiled.

Speaking
about his team selection, Mazzarri then explained that he tries to stimulate competition among the players. "You need that. I
want to keep everyone on their toes and I tell them it’s not only
what I see in games but in training too. I prefer to see intensity and tackles in
training, because then you’re more likely to see it in a match situation too. I want everyone to maintain a high level of fitness and form."