Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella has revealed it may be his fondness for Roma which has prevented him securing a win against his old club with his current one.
La Viola take on Rudi Garcia’s men on Saturday night as they look trying to secure fourth position in Serie A, and Montella has not had much success against his former team, something he is aware of, having lost all four matches played against them.
“Maybe it is because I am still fond of them,” he joked.
“I remember all the games played against Giallorossi, only the last one was a fair loss, we did not deserve to lose the other ones, we have often played better than them.
“At the end of the day, I do not know if the difference is constituted by the absences or by the fact that we played more.
“I think that Roma has high level players especially in the replacements, the last match was decided by [Mattia] Destro.
“On similar conditions, I do not think that there is a big gap between the two teams.”
He weighed in on Roma season’s and on the Scudetto race.
“They had an extraordinary year,” the tactician commented. “They are the team that can read all situations in the best way.
“Although, championships are won if you are the best team and they have found an unbeatable Juventus that prevented them from winning.
“I think that, had Juve not beaten Udinese, the race would have reopened, but they do not give up, but, in football anything can happen, even in the last match.”
Moving back to his own side, he was more upbeat and is expecting a performance on Saturday.
“I would like to see a team that tries to win right from the beginning through their identity,” he said.
“I expect a good game on the tactical standpoint.
“We will maintain our belief because if we changed the tactic, Roma would put us in trouble.”
He was asked whether Fiorentina-Roma can be an advert for Italian football.
“I do not know if these are the two teams that play the best football,” he continued.
“Too often you forget Juventus in this aspect.
“For most part of the season also Inter have played very well.”
He added that Alessandro Matri might start and then went on discussing Rudi Garcia.
“I do not know if he brought different characteristics, but he is a coach that has the group and the single players on his side.
“Every player gives his best even if he does not play a lot.
“He is very pragmatic and attentive to everything with great balance.”
He remarked on Gervinho and made a comparison with Juan Guillermo Cuadrado.
“He is a fast player, we have to limit his touches and prevent him from accelerating.
“We need to do preventive coverage to deny him the ball.
“The Colombian changed many roles, while Gervinho always plays as a winger.”
He commented on the fans and on the historical numbers his side is putting together.
“I have heard the fans talking about the matches against Napoli and Roma for a while, they are very vocal.
“They are only numbers that give value and merit to the team.”
Adem Ljajic has not found consistent playing time after leaving Fiorentina.
“He did not have much continuity at Roma and therefore we are ready to take him back on loan if they pay his wages.”
He concluded by speaking about happy environment surrounding Fiorentina.
“It is a great satisfaction to have brought back the enthusiasm in so little time.
“I am pleased for the team and for the Florence people that have taken their team back and also for Andrea Della Valle that has gone through some very negative moments.”
