Montella: Fiorentina dream of winning the Coppa Italia this season

Date: 4th March 2015 at 6:21pm
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Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella has revealed that the Gigliati dream of winning the Coppa Italia this season after coming so close last year and hopes his men can defeat Juventus in the semi-final.

The Viola will be facing off with the Bianconeri in Turin on Thursday in the first of two semi final meetings to determine which side will head to the final and the tactician remains confident that his squad can lift the trophy this season as long as they’re willing to sacrifice everything until the end.

Montella spoke during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday about Fiorentina’s desire to win the Coppa Italia and the challenge that Juventus may present, while also commenting on the conditions of his players.

“There are more incentives to do well in this match against Juventus than there are in the others, it’s very special to me,” said the 40-year-old.

“We cannot think about our other commitments during this match, we can only think of making it to the final. I will also be thinking of [Juventus coach Massimiliano] Allegri.

“Juve are possibly the strongest team left in the running for the Coppa Italia, based on their position in the league, but this will give us more motivation.

“I think playing against the best is a good thing, we are prepared to play a game filled with sacrifice.

“They have carved a path of success that has continued even after Antonio Conte’s exit, I don’t see much difference in this team since he left.

“The principles of the squad remain the same. However, the team is still different in some ways, but mostly similar.

“We came so close to winning the Coppa Italia last season. The club has the normal desire to lift a trophy as always, especially if it’s deserved, so we’ll try our hardest.

“It’s one of our biggest dreams to win the Coppa Italia, even to me as a coach as I’m yet to win a trophy during my coaching career, so we will try until the end.

“I expect my boys to be ready to give their all and enter the pitch with the proper mentality. Our recent results have given us more courage and positivity, which I would like to emphasise.

“The team? David Pizzarro is not at his best, so he will need to be evaluated. Borja Valero will be with us.

“Jose Basanta is still very questionable for us, while we’ll be missing Stefan Savic and Nenad Tomovic.

“Milan Badelj is doing well and we will also have Khouma Babacar available to us. Mati Fernandez could be available as well, but we’re not sure yet.

“Mario Gomez had some problems throughout the last week, but he’s been doing a lot better in recent days leading up to this game.

“Mohamed Salah has integrated perfectly since his arrival and we are very happy with this.

“I will have Neto and Ciprian Tatarusanu both available to me, they are both great players and I would feel safe using either of them.

“My relationship with Fiorentina? It remains the same. The only thing that has changed here is our results.

“We will go forward together and I have not seen any reasons to think otherwise.”

 

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