Fiorentina’s Riccardo Montolivo cannot help but admire Juventus rival Alessandro Del Piero ahead of tonight’s showdown.
“Alex remains something to be proud of for all of Italian football and its players,” the midfielder told Tuttosport.
“I was very impressed by Sebastian Giovinco when we played at the Olympics together, but with Del Piero in front of him in the pecking order, it would be difficult for anyone to find space.
“I certainly wouldn’t condemn Giovinco if at the end of the season he decided to look for a squad capable of guaranteeing more first team football.”
Fiorentina go into tonight’s match on disappointing form, having lost two on the trot to drop out of the Champions League places.
“We were unaccustomed to dealing with Serie A and the Champions League simultaneously. The packed fixture list took their toll mentally and physically,” mused Montolivo.
Juventus are pushing for the top position, but go into this game without the suspended Momo Sissoko and Cristian Molinaro, which should ease some of the midfield pressure on Montolivo.
“It’s true that Sissoko is a very aggressive figure, but he is not the only one. Besides, don’t forget we are missing Adrian Mutu.”
He received his senior Italy debut in 2008, so what are Montolivo’s objectives for the New Year?
“To become a firm fixture in the Azzurri squad and win with Fiorentina.”
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