Cesena vs Fiorentina preview - Mutu in confident mood

Cesena striker Adrian Mutu is optimistic his team can finally get their season off the ground when they host his former club Fiorentina.

The Romagna outfit have struggled to get going this term, with just one point to their name after five games played.

A goalless draw against Chievo in the last round hardly helped their cause, and Mutu, who missed a penalty in that game, knows his team can do better.

"We've got the talent and we have an ambitious project," he said.

"We have to work and stay focused, only then will we produce the play and results."

Mutu joined Cesena this summer after five years at Fiorentina, but admits he could have happily stayed with his former side.

"I would have loved to remain in Florence forever," he said. "But I had the courage to join a small team that can become big in the future.

"I wish Fiorentina the best of luck but not against us."

Mutu will lead Cesena's attack alongside Abdel Ghezzal.

Rivals Fiorentina go into the encounter at the Dino Manuzzi stadium on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Lazio, their first loss of the campaign.

That setback dropped Sinisa Mihajlovic's side to ninth in the standings.

Fiorentina are still without injured striker Alberto Gilardino and will be hoping Santiago Silva can deliver in front of goal.

Silva joined the Viola this summer from Velez Sarsfield following the departure of Mutu to Cesena.

And Silva is relishing the duel with fellow striker Mutu on Sunday.

"Mutu is a great player and did a lot for Fiorentina," Silva said.

"I can't wait to play against him.

"I hope I have the opportunity to score on Sunday as I have yet to celebrate my first goal in Serie A.

"But the important thing is that the team wins."