Fiorentina vs Palermo preview - Rossi hopeful of survival

Posted Wednesday, April 11, 2012 by PA

Fiorentina coach Delio Rossi hopes his team's triumph at AC Milan last weekend will be a turning point in their season and spark a successful bid to avoid the drop.

The win - courtesy of Carvalho Amauri's late winner - was significant considering it halted a five-match winless run for the Viola and marked Fiorentina's second victory on the road this season.

The result lifted the Viola to 15th place, five points clear of the drop zone, ahead of Wednesday's game against Palermo.

"This was a beautiful and important result for us," Rossi said. "It will allow us to look ahead with optimism.

"We've handed good performances in recent games and I expect more of the same against Palermo.

"We have a lot of work to do and we cannot get too carried away. We need to keep our feet firmly on the ground."

Rossi is set to name an unchanged side following the success over Milan.

Fiorentina have won just one of their last four league games at the Artemio Franchi stadium.

Fortunately for the hosts, they take on a Palermo side who have mustered just one win away from home so far.

"We face a difficult game at Fiorentina," Palermo goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano said. "Despite their lowly position in the standings, Fiorentina have a good side with great players."

Palermo head into the encounter in Florence on the back of Saturday's 2-0 loss to Juventus.

The result dropped the Sicilians to 11th place, four points clear of Fiorentina.

The visitors will be bolstered by the return from suspension of defender Matias Aguirregaray, midfielders Massimo Donati and Edgar Barreto as well as striker Abel Hernandez.