Parma vs Fiorentina preview - Fiorentina fight on without Jovetic

Posted Tuesday, March 06, 2012 by PA

Fiorentina must overcome the absence of the team's leading scorer Stevan Jovetic when they go up against Parma at the Ennio Tardini stadium.

Jovetic, who has scored 12 goals in 21 appearances for the Viola this season, got injured during Sunday's 2-0 triumph over Cesena.

The Montenegrin forward will be sidelined for two weeks with a right thigh injury.

"It's a blow for us as we rely a lot on Jovetic," Fiorentina coach Delio Rossi said.

"But I will try to put on the pitch a strong team."

Jovetic's absence will see Carvalho Amauri lead Fiorentina's attack against his former club.

Wednesday's game was scheduled to be played last month but was postponed due to adverse weather conditions in Parma.

The win over Cesena halted a run of three consecutive defeats for Fiorentina and lifted the Tuscan outfit to 13th place, two points clear of Parma.

"It's not that by beating Cesena all of our problems have disappeared," Rossi said. "I always stated that the month of March is crucial and we still have too many highs and lows at this stage of the campaign.

"We have to continue to work hard and improve.

"We have 13 finals left to play."

Fiorentina has claimed just one win on the road this season, a 3-0 triumph at Novara on January 8, and can expect a tough test at Parma.

Roberto Donadoni's side go into the game on the back of Sunday's 2-1 home defeat to Napoli that dropped the team to 17th place, four points clear of the drop zone.

That setback was their first at home since October 23.

The Ducale club has mustered two points in their last four league games but a victory could see them ease their relegation fears and climb to 12th place.

The hosts will be without suspended defender Alessandro Lucarelli and injured striker Sergio Floccari.