Torino vs Fiorentina preview - Viola search for Rossi replacement - 7M sport

Torino vs Fiorentina preview - Viola search for Rossi replacement



Posted Saturday, January 11, 2014 by PA

Fiorentina are on the lookout for a new striker to sign in the winter transfer market heading into Sunday's match at Torino.

The Viola suffered a blow with star striker Giuseppe Rossi suffering a right knee injury in last weekend's 1-0 triumph over Livorno.

Rossi, who is Serie A's top scorer with 14 goals, could be sidelined for at least three months.

With German forward Mario Gomez also out of action through injury until February and Fiorentina still competing in three fronts - Serie A, Europa League and Coppa Italia - the need to strengthen their attack has become a priority for the Tuscan outfit.

"We are looking to see if there is a quality player out there than we can sign and that he fits in our project," Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle said.

"Our club executives are working very hard and fast on this matter and I'm confident they will do well."

Metalist Kharkiv forward Papu Gomez and Juventus striker Mirko Vucinic are reported targets of Fiorentina.

However, Della Valle knows it will be very difficult to replace the 26-year-old Rossi.

"It took me one-and-a-half years to bring Rossi to Florence and we are certainly not going to find one like him in a week," he said.

"There simply isn't a player like him in the market. My hope is to have Rossi back with us in a few months' time."

For the time being, Josip Ilicic will replace Rossi in Fiorentina's attack.

The Viola go into the match in Turin having secured a place in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.

Rossi watched from the stands as Fiorentina beat Chievo 2-0 on Wednesday to clinch their sixth victory in all competitions.

The Viola, coached by Vincenzo Montella, are fourth in Serie A, three points behind Napoli, who are third and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Rivals Torino saw their three-match winning streak in the league come to an end in Monday's 3-1 defeat at Parma.

The loss dropped Toro to seventh place.

Toro will nevertheless fancy their chances of taking a positive result against Fiorentina with Giampiero Ventura's men having lost just once at home this season, a a 1-0 defeat to city rivals Juventus on September 29.



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