Lazio vs Fiorentina preview - Viola look to cure travel sickness

Posted Sunday, March 10, 2013 by PA

Champions League football will remain a mere pipe dream for Fiorentina unless the Tuscans can start winning games away from home, according to midfielder Borja Valero.

La Viola remain in sixth place and in the hunt for a top-three spot thanks to a formidable home record, but a run of four straight defeats on the road leaves Vincenzo Montella's men struggling to keep up with Sunday's opponents Lazio and the two Milan clubs.

The trip to Rome, therefore, represents a gilt-edged opportunity for Fiorentina to get over their recent travel sickness and claim all three points at the Stadio Olimpico.

Valero told La Repubblica: "If we can return to winning games away from home then we will be able to fight for a Champions League place.

"We are on the right track, we just need to keep our feet on the ground and rediscover the continuity that brought us into Europa League contention."

Fiorentina's on-loan goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano echoed his team-mate's comments.

He said: "In April we can start thinking about Europe and even though we are a few points away from the Champions League places, we will have a go."

Viviano is yet to discover whether he will be recalled to parent club Palermo, who are facing up to the prospect of relegation from Serie A.

"I don't think the clubs have decided what to do yet," he added. "I'll be really sorry if I have to go because I want to stay in Florence for as long as possible

Midfielder Alberto Aquilani serves a one-match ban against Lazio while Giuseppe Rossi, Michele Camporese and Ahmed Hegazi miss out through injury.

Striker Miroslav Klose remains sidelined through injury for the hosts, who beat Stuttgart 2-0 in midweek, with Cristian Brocchi, Marius Stankevicius and Abdoulay Konko also on the treatment table while Antonio Candreva misses out through suspension.

Brazilian midfielder Ederson made the most of a rare start to score at the Mercedes-Benz Arena and he is eager to play a bigger part in the first XI over the season run-in.

"I'm at the coach's disposal," he said. "It's clear that I always want to play but it's important to respect the coach's wishes and just ensure that I'm ready to go at the right time."