Udinese vs Fiorentina preview - Montella: We must remain humble

Posted Saturday, March 21, 2015 by PA

Fiorentina will go all out for victory in Sunday's match at Udinese as they attempt to move into the Champions League qualifying places.

The top three spots in Serie A will claim berths in Europe's elite club competition and in-form Fiorentina are fifth in the standings and just four points behind third-place Lazio.

Vincenzo Montella, the coach of the Viola, continues to grow in stature after knocking his former team, Roma, out of the Europa League on Thursday.

Fiorentina followed up a 1-1 draw in Tuscany with a 3-0 triumph in the Stadio Olimpico to reach the last eight.

Montella's team will square off against Dinamo Kiev in the next round.

"For us it's a big satisfaction to have beaten Tottenham and Roma in the Europa League, two teams that on paper are stronger than us," Montella told the Italian press.

"We are delighted to be in the next round and to have avoided an Italian team in the quarter-finals.

"But we have to put the European competition to one side. We must forget about this win, just as the big clubs do.

"On Sunday we have another game and we will face an opponent that will not underestimate us.

"We must remain humble and continue to work hard."

Fiorentina have lost just one of their last 10 league games and last weekend's 2-1 over AC Milan was their 12th win of the campaign.

With Udinese midfielder Emmanuel Badu suspended this weekend, coach Andrea Stramaccioni is hoping to recover midfielder Panagiotis Kone in time for Sunday's match.

Kone suffered a muscular injury in last week's goalless draw at Atalanta and is a doubt.

Udinese have won just one of their last six league games and lie 12th in the standings but have a game in hand.

Fiorentina welcome back defender Nenad Tomovic from suspension while Germany striker Mario Gomez could feature against Udinese having shaken off a muscular injury.