Fiorentina vs Udinese preview - Montella backing for Jovetic

Posted Saturday, August 25, 2012 by PA

New boss Vincenzo Montella hopes that Stevan Jovetic will be the key player in his fresh-looking side as Fiorentina host Udinese in the first game of the new Serie A season.

Montella has chosen to assume his third management role in Florence, after successful spells in charge of Roma and Catania, and could be La Viola's most important signing ahead of the new campaign.

But the Tuscan club's success could hinge on the performances of influential attacking midfielder Jovetic, who scored 14 goals last season and has been linked with moves to Juventus and Manchester City this summer.

Montella said: "I think he'd be disappointed if he left, because we are putting together a strong team here. We're building a team around his characteristics.

"This is a side with quality and I am certain that Jovetic strongly wants to stay."

The new boss has offset the long-expected departure of Riccardo Montolivo to AC Milan with a dearth of midfield talent, principally Alberto Aquilani and David Pizarro.

Borja Valero and Matias Fernandez also inject creativity as Fiorentina plot an improvement on last year's disappointing 13th place.

Emiliano Viviano, Juan Cuadrado and Aquilani are hoping to shake off knocks in time to face the Zebrette, but Francesco Della Rocca remains sidelined.

Francesco Guidolin continues to defy logic by keeping Udinese competitive despite selling key players every summer.

Mauricio Isla, Kwadwo Asamoah and Samir Handanovic have all moved on, with Guidolin characteristically scouring Europe and South America for relatively unknown replacements.

Udinese fans will be eager to see Brazilian midfielder Maicosuel, a 5.3million Euro signing from Botafogo, in action in Florence.

Paulo Barreto is a long-term absentee for the Friulians with Luis Muriel struggling to overcome a muscle injury.