Sassuolo vs Fiorentina preview - Montella not looking past Sassuolo

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella insists his players will not be distracted by their Europa League game at Tottenham when they visit Sassuolo on Saturday.

The Florence outfit take on Spurs on Thursday in London in the first leg of their last-32 tie.

Despite the obvious attraction of next week's clash, Montella believes his team's only focus right now is on the domestic front.

"We will have time to prepare for our game against Tottenham," he told the Italian media on Friday. "We don't want to fall short of our expectations, especially when it comes to showing commitment.

"We will never go into a game already thinking we are beaten.

"Right now our only thoughts are on the game at Sassuolo.

"We need to win on Saturday in order to remain in contention for our aims this season."

Fiorentina are on a five-match unbeaten run heading into the encounter at the Citta del Tricolore stadium.

Last weekend's 3-2 triumph at Atalanta lifted the Viola to fifth place, seven points adrift of Napoli, who are third and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

"We deserve the position that we have in the standings," Montella said. "We have shown in recent weeks consistency in our performances and in results.

"But we have to keep working.

"Sassuolo play well and have a very talented attack."

Sassuolo have lost just once at home this season and will be bolstered by the return of attacking trio Simone Zaza, Domenico Berardi and Nicola Sansone.

Zaza, Berardi and Sansone, who have combined to score 17 of Sassuolo's 28 goals so far, missed last weekend's 1-1 draw with Sampdoria through suspension.

The Emilia-Romagna outfit has lost just one of their last seven league games and are 12th in the standings.

Sassuolo, coached by Eusebio Di Francesco, will not be at full strength with right-back Sime Vrsaljko sidelined for a month with a muscular injury.

Midfielders Saphir Taider and Simone Missiroli are also unavailable with the former suspended and the latter out injured.

Meanwhile, on-loan Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah is expected to make his first Fiorentina start on Saturday.