Hellas Verona vs Fiorentina preview - Stopping Toni is key - Savic

Posted Saturday, April 12, 2014 by PA

Fiorentina defender Stefan Savic believes stopping former Viola striker Luca Toni will be his team's priority in Sunday's match at Hellas Verona.

Toni followed up his double in a 3-1 victory over Genoa by scoring the only goal of the game in Hellas' 1-0 derby triumph at Chievo last time out.

The goal was Toni's 16th of the campaign and lifted promoted Hellas to ninth place, just four points behind the last Europa League qualifying spot.

Not since the 2006-07 campaign with Fiorentina had the 36-year-old Toni scored so many goals in Serie A.

"Toni is a fantastic player," Savic said. "He has played at a high level for a long time and he is having a great season.

"We know him well as he played with us last season and it will be crucial for us to stop him.

"We hope that he doesn't score on Sunday."

The Viola go into the encounter at the Marc' Antonio Bentegodi stadium on the back of a 2-1 triumph over Udinese.

Sunday's win was Fiorentina's first in three games and lifted the Tuscan outfit five points clear of fifth-placed Inter Milan with six games remaining.

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella has urged his players to give their all in Verona as they look to strengthen their grip on fourth place.

"We must give continuity to our result against Udinese," Montella said. "There are six games to go and all to play for."

The visitors will be bolstered by the return of Savic and midfielder Borja Valero from suspension.

Hellas, coached by Andrea Mandorlini, will have to show a vast improvement if they are to surprise Fiorentina this weekend.

The Verona outfit have mustered just one win in their last seven games at home but Toni is nevertheless upbeat about his side's chances.

"We really want to do well against Fiorentina," Toni said. "Fiorentina had offered me an executive role at the club last summer but I knew that I could still give a contribution on the pitch.

"I didn't expect to have such an impact. I hope to score the most beautiful goal of my career on Sunday against Fiorentina."