Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Montella has said that he expects a tough match against Tottenham Hotspur in tonight’s Europa League encounter.
La Viola are coming into the match on the back of a good run of form in Serie A having lost only once in their last 12 fixtures. Montella’s men have risen to fourth in the table as a result.
Spurs have also enjoyed a stellar Premier League campaign thus far as they sit sixth in the table, their recent defeats of Champions League regulars Chelsea and Arsenal in the process thereby lending credence to Mauricio Pochettino’s side’s quest for a place in the premier European competition next season.
Montella is wary of the threat posed by the north London outfit and he insists that Spurs are “top-quality opponents.”
“I’m expecting a tough match against top quality opponents”, Montella said at a pre-match press conference, via the Viola Channel.
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The former Italian international added that his team’s experienced hands will need to rise to the occasion and put up a good display.
“We’ll need to be mentally prepared and totally focused on the game. Our experienced players will need to step up for us.”
Montella went on to add that Spurs have combined a possession-based continental style of football with the physical nature of the English game which makes them difficult opponents. But he insists that the Italians will look to play their natural game.
“Tottenham combine an almost continental playing style with more traditional English features, but we have to play the Fiorentina way and show some courage.”
The first leg of Europa League round of 32 tie between the two sides will take place at White Hart Lane tonight.
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