Palermo vs Fiorentina preview - Montella demands winning finish

Posted Saturday, May 23, 2015 by PA

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella expects his players to pull out all stops and win at Palermo on Sunday to clinch a place in next season's Europa League.

The Viola, riding a three-game winning streak in Serie A, are fifth in the standings and four points clear of seventh-place Sampdoria with two games remaining.

A top-six finish in Italy is needed to play in Europe.

Monday's 3-0 triumph over Parma, Fiorentina's 16th victory of the campaign, allowed the Florence outfit to bounce back from their Europa League elimination at the hands of Sevilla.

"I'm happy that we won and that we did so in front of our home fans after our Europa League exit," Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella said to Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We took a step forward, but we still have some work left to do to qualify for Europe.

"We need more points as Genoa are right behind us.

"To finish fifth in the standings would be a good achievement and in order to do that we must win our last two games.

"Considering what we have done in recent years, the team deserves it."

Fiorentina are two points clear of Genoa, who hold the last Europa League qualifying spot, and end the campaign at home to Chievo.

Sunday's clash will be Paulo Dybala's last match with Palermo at the Renzo Barbera stadium.

The Argentinian forward, who moved to Palermo in 2012, is set to join Serie A champions Juventus at the end of the season.

Dybala, 21, is expected to start on Sunday.

The South American has scored 13 goals and set up 10 more in 34 league appearances to help the Sicilian outfit remain in Serie A for a second straight season.

"Paulo has done a great job and has grown a lot in the last two years," Palermo coach Giuseppe Iachini said. "He has a great future ahead of him."

Palermo are 10th in the standings and have won one and lost three of their last six home games.

The Sicilians won 1-0 at Cagliari last time out, their third win on the road this season, to halt a four-match winless run.

The hosts will be without striker Ivaylo Chochev, who is suspended.

Fiorentina are without the services of Italian forward Alessandro Diamanti, who must serve a one-match ban.