Fiorentina vs Cagliari preview - Montella excited by strike pair

Posted Saturday, September 14, 2013 by PA

Fiorentina head coach Vincenzo Montella has predicted that Mario Gomez and Giuseppe Rossi will develop into a potent strikeforce the more they get to play together.

Germany international Gomez and former Villarreal man Rossi will lead Fiorentina's attack against Cagliari on Sunday and Montella hopes the partnership will bear fruit again after both players scored in a 5-2 triumph at Genoa.

"Gomez and Rossi are working extremely hard to fit into the team," Montella told www.acffiorentina.it.

"They are both very selfless players and that's rare to see in such first-rate strikers.

"It is only going to get better with time as they adapt to each other's game."

La Viola are looking for their third win in as many games this weekend having already beaten Catania and Genoa.

The hosts will, however, have to overcome the absence of defender Ahmed Hegazy, who is out for six months after suffering a relapse of an injury to his right knee.

The 22-year-old centre-back had only returned to action in May having undergone crucial ligament surgery last December.

Furthermore, Italy midfielder Manuel Pasqual is doubtful with a head injury sustained while on international duty last week.

Rivals Cagliari will be bolstered by the presence of playmaker Andrea Cossu, who has recovered from a muscular injury in time to make his season debut.

"Finally I'm available to play," Cossu said. "We travel to the Stadio Artemio Franchi with our heads held high, knowing we can do well."

Cossu's presence will be a blessing for Cagliari boss Ivo Pulga, whose side expect to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat at AC Milan last time out and clinch their second win of the campaign in Tuscany.