Fiorentina vs Catania preview - Montella not banking on old pals act

Posted Sunday, September 16, 2012 by PA

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella cannot expect to receive any favours from his former side when Catania arrive at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Montella led the Sicilian club to their best ever finish in Serie A last season before moving to Florence, where he finds himself one point behind his opponents and former employers.

Gonzalo Bergessio flourished under Montella last season but he would have no qualms about scoring against his side, just like he did in May 2011 when the now Fiorentina coach was in charge of Roma and Bergessio's goal in the penultimate game of the season earned Catania a win.

"To ensure I don't risk anything, I will look out for him before the game starts, that way I can avoid being insulted if I do score," said the Argentinian.

"I owe him a lot because he filled me with self-belief and he taught me a lot of things. He gave me plenty of important suggestions, especially inside the area."

The suggestions from one striker to another may have made Bergessio a better player, but this could also give Montella an advantage in trying to stop him on Sunday.

"I will just have to invent something new and hope he has forgotten all of the advice he gave me," added Bergessio in La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Montella now has other strikers to work with including Luca Toni, who has returned to the club five years after leaving them.

The former Italy international, who was part of the Azzurri's 2006 World Cup winning squad, says he has not returned to the Viola just to bring a relaxing end to his career either.

"I hope to make Montella's decisions difficult," he said after scoring in a friendly match last week. "Of course I hope to play.

"I can't wait to get onto the field to help the team and hear this kind of applause in a game which matters."

That could be on Sunday, should Montella prefer the 35-year-old over Adam Ljajic alongside Stevan Jovetic.