Lecce vs Fiorentina preview - Guerini: We must focus on Lecce
Posted Saturday, May 05, 2012 by PA
New Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Guerini has urged his players to forget matters off the pitch when they face Lecce.
The Viola travel to the Via del Mare stadium having endured a difficult spell but needing a point to ensure Serie A safety.
The Viola sacked coach Delio Rossi, who was also banned for three months by the Italian football league, after he attacked midfielder Adem Ljajic in the dugout during Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Novara.
Rossi reacted following a verbal disagreement with Ljajic and Fiorentina replaced him with team manager Guerini.
"I didn't expect to be in this position," said Guerini, who will guide the Viola until the end of the season.
"It's obvious that the team has been hit by what has happened because these players are not superficial. We tried in training to focus on the game because we need a point to avoid the drop and we have to get mentally ready for it.
"Right now the only thing that matters is Fiorentina."
The Tuscan outfit has won three of its past 11 games and are in 15th place, six points clear of third-bottom Lecce, with two games remaining.
Ljajic will not feature with the club having opened a disciplinary case against him following Wednesday's incident.
Rivals Lecce held unbeaten Juventus to a 1-1 draw in Turin on Wednesday to keep their Serie A hopes alive.
The Salentini have lost just one in their past eight games and lie three points behind Genoa, who hold the last position of safety.
"The draw in Turin was an important result for us and it gave us a big boost in confidence," Lecce coach Serse Cosmi said.
"We know the importance of the game and we hope we can achieve our dream."
Cosmi returns to the bench having served a one-match touchline ban in midweek.
Lecce will be without defender Moris Carrozieri, midfielder Juan Cuadrado and striker Luis Muriel, all suspended.
Fiorentina must overcome the absence of the team's top scorer Stevan Jovetic, who is sidelined through injury.
The last time both sides met earlier this season, Lecce won 1-0, with striker David Di Michele scoring the only goal.
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