Belenenses vs Fiorentina - Fiorentina hit form ahead of Belenenses meeting

Posted Thursday, October 01, 2015 by PA

Fiorentina are looking to follow up their emphatic triumph at Inter Milan with a Europa League victory at Belenenses.

The Viola climbed into top spot in the Serie A standings by beating Inter 4-1 at the San Siro with Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic scoring a hat-trick.

There is a sense of urgency to get a win against the Portuguese outfit because Fiorentina lost 2-1 at home to Basle in their Group I opener.

"We are happy but we need to remain concentrated because we have difficult games ahead," Fiorentina striker Federico Bernardeschi said to Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We have a lot of games left to play in Serie A and in the Europa League but the important thing is that we have sent out good messages.

"We are a strong team and we are proving it. We hope we can continue to play like this."

Fiorentina are coached by Portuguese tactician Paulo Sousa, who began his playing career at Belenenses' neighbours Benfica.

Unlike Fiorentina, who reached the semi-finals of the competition last season before losing to eventual champions Sevilla, Belenenses are playing in the group stage for the first time.

The Lisbon-based club held Lech Poznan to a goalless draw in Poland in their opener.

Belenenses, who had to go through qualifying, are undefeated in their last five European games this season.

Ricardo Sa Pinto's side drew 2-2 at Arouca on Sunday in the Primeira Liga and are 13th in the standings with seven points from six games.

"We deserved much more than a point at Arouca and we are disappointed," Sa Pinto said to Abola.pt. "Now we must focus on Fiorentina, a team that is fighting for the scudetto.

"We will try to play in an organised manner and if possible, try to bring back points. Our priority nevertheless remains the domestic competition."

The visitors are without defenders Gilberto and Gonzalo Rodriguez, with the former sidelined by a groin injury and the latter suspended.