Fiorentina vs US Sassuolo Calcio preview - Montella calls for continuity

Posted Tuesday, September 23, 2014 by PA

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella is hoping his side will build some momentum when they host winless Sassuolo in Serie A action on Wednesday.

The Viola go into the encounter at the Artemio Franchi stadium in high spirits, and for good reason.

Fiorentina fans were able to breathe a big sigh of relief after their team's 1-0 triumph at Atalanta on Sunday, their first league success of the campaign.

Montella's side had mustered one point in their opening two games before Jasmin Kurtic's goal handed them victory.

"We knew that sooner or later the win would arrive," Montella said. "This victory is very important.

"It gives us a big boost in confidence in view of our next two games.

"However, this win will be of little use if we don't give continuity to this result."

Montella will be hoping his side can maintain the same defensive focus against Sassuolo that has seen them keep a clean sheet in three of their four games this season.

"We did a good job against Atalanta," he said. "We didn't give them much space.

"But we still have a lot of work to do to reach our top level."

Kurtic's strike was Fiorentina's first of the season but, fortunately for them, they come up against a team that has the worst backline in the competition with eight goals conceded.

However, Sassuolo managed to keep a clean sheet in Sunday's goalless draw against Sampdoria to clinch their second point of the campaign.

That result followed their 7-0 humiliation at the hands of Inter Milan.

"We handed a good performance against Samp," Sassuolo coach Eusebio Di Francesco said. "I saw a huge improvement with respect to our display at Inter.

"Of course, I would have preferred to have collected three points but I am nevertheless satisfied with the outcome."

The visitors will be without defender Thomas Manfredini and striker Domenico Berardi, with the former injured and the latter suspended.

German striker Mario Gomez, who has yet to score this season, will lead Fiorentina's attack alongside Khouma Babacar and Juan Guillermo Cuadrado.