Fiorentina vs Genoa preview - Granqvist pours praise on Fiorentina

Genoa defender Andreas Granqvist has produced a glowing pre-match report on Sunday's opponents Fiorentina but the main object of his praise is in no mood to submit to flattery.

The Rossoblu travel to the Stadio Artemio Franchi eager to pull away from the Serie A relegation zone, above which they enjoy a two-point cushion, while Vincenzo Montella's side look to creep into the Champions League places.

Sweden international Granqvist is a confirmed admirer of the new brand of fluid and enterprising football that his team-mates are tasked with shutting down on Sunday.

He told Corriere dello Sport: "Fiorentina's season has been a treat for the eyes. They play good football which is a little unusual in Italy.

"It's a game based on technique which is not just a means to an end.

"When they see space, they try to exploit it quickly with the movement of two strikers but they sometimes opt for other approaches like playing the ball in the air.

"One of Fiorentina's strengths is definitely the midfield with players like Alberto Aquilani, David Pizarro and Borja Valero, who is one of my favourite players.

"We will pay double the normal amount of attention."

Valero, though, is fully focused on chasing AC Milan out of third spot amid reported interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid, with whom the 28-year-old started his career.

"I don't miss Spain or Real Madrid," he said. "I'm happy in Florence and with Fiorentina. And we can do so much more here.

"It's nice to receive all this praise and Spain remains in my heart, but I am very happy in Italy and so is my family.

"If you consider that this team has only been playing together for less than a year then you can see that there is a lot of room for improvement.

"What annoys me the most? Losing."

Giuseppe Rossi, Michele Camporese and Ahmed Hegazy will not face Genoa due to injury, with Matuzalem, Antonio Floro Flores, Ruben Olivera, Thomas Manfredini and Marco Rossi all sidelined for the visitors, who have not claimed a point from Florence since September 1992.