Montella: Fiorentina must play with desire

Date: 6th May 2015 at 9:12pm
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Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella has urged his side to play with hunger as they face last year’s champions Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League semi-finals on Thursday.

The Gigliati will face the Spanish club in Seville as they reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2007/08, and Montella maintains that his side will have to play a perfect match in order to overcome the hosts.

“To get into the final you need to have the desire to get right to the end,” he stated at his pre-match press conference.

“Therefore we will have to show this desire on the field tomorrow. Sevilla are a very complete team and they can do everything, including Italian-style counter attacks.

“As a club they have won a lot and been very successful in the past few years.

“Though Sevilla aren’t perfect, they have lots of strengths but some weaknesses that we can target.”

Questioned on the Spanish side’s coach Unai Emery and the rumours of his future possibly lying in Serie A with AC Milan, Montella jokingly replied

“I can’t start becoming a director for other clubs but he is a smart and talented coach, he can adapt to any team and coach anywhere.”

Returning to the game, the Italian tactician commented on his team’s odds with many viewing the reigning champions as favourites for the game.

“It would be good if Emery thought that too but he is experienced and would have skilfully prepared his team.

“We expect to face an incredible atmosphere but I have players with great characteristics who will be motivated by this. I believe this will help us show our best features.

“If they had asked [Iker] Casillas who would have been favourites before his game [Juventus v Real Madrid] then I’m sure he would have felt confident of his side. These are just comments”.

Finally questioned on veteran Joaquin, Montella was asked whether the Spaniard had offered any insight on the opposition due to his time in La Liga.

“We talked about Sevilla and Emery [whom he worked with at Valencia]. He gave me tips but nothing that we didn’t already know.

“He cares a lot about this game and I’m sure he won’t be affected by the emotions of this game considering he is a great player.”

 

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