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| Prandelli: It's up to us now |
Wednesday 25 February, 2009 |
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Cesare Prandelli has not lost hope of overturning Fiorentina's 1-0 home defeat to Ajax. “It all depends on us and only us.”
The Viola's UEFA Cup ambitions were hit hard in the first leg when they fell at the Stadio Franchi to Ajax and must now win in Holland to qualify.
“We know that we will run into difficulties, from Ajax's quality to the problems that come with playing away from home,” noted the Coach.
“But we are also convinced that the first leg result did not reflect the performances, so if we were able to create so many chances then, I don't see why we can't do it in Holland.”
Fiorentina reached this competition via the Champions League, as they finished third in their group phase, but Prandelli does not see it as a step down.
“We are certainly not lacking motivation. The important thing is to start off with the right attitude, confidence, determination, aggression and readiness to take risks.
“At the Franchi we were a little too passive, especially in the first half. We put them under pressure, but only on an individual level and not as a collective, allowing Ajax the time and space to hit us.
“This kept us in a difficult psychological situation and when we get scared, we become vulnerable. Here we must make the most of our qualities through an aggressive approach.
“We must not be afraid, as to make it we need to take some risks and accept this big challenge the same way we have done in these two European years. That is the right way to grow and I don't even want to think about elimination.”
Adrian Mutu and Alberto Gilardino are certain starters, while Franco Semioli is the current favourite to complete the trident.
Marco Donadel and Zdravko Kuzmanovic are pushing for the same spot in midfield.
Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Zauri, Kroldrup, Gamberini, Pasqual; Kuzmanovic, Felipe Melo, Montolivo; Semioli, Gilardino, Mutu
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Pazzini blasts Cesare's methods
Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini has hit out at former Coach Cesare Prandelli, but Fiorentina's sporting director defends Pazzini's sale. More |
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