|
Vincenzo Montella is counting on a rejuvenated Mario Gomez to lead Fiorentina's assault on three points against Juventus on Friday evening. The Germany international ended a 259-day goal drought by netting in his side's 4-0 win over Cagliari last weekend, and now Viola boss Montella hopes history can repeat itself when the fit-again forward leads his side's attack at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Gomez scored Fiorentina's equaliser in a 1-1 Europa League draw against Juventus last season, and Montella believes the time has now come for the former Stuttgart and Bayern Munich hitman to put 18 months of injury agony behind him for good by delivering the goals all Fiorentina fans are craving. "He's finally ended his drought and he's feeling 100 percent again," Montella said at a news conference. "We're all counting a lot on him." Montella nevertheless knows he is asking a lot of the 29-year-old, who will be partnered by Juan Cuadrado in the Viola attack looking to puncture a Juve defence which has been beaten only five times in the first 13 games of the season. "They're practically unbeatable," Montella conceded. "[Antonio] Conte did well to form this side and [Massimiliano] Allegri's doing well to keep them going. We're going to need a lot of conviction and in games like this it's impossible if you do not give 101 per cent." Fiorentina managed that last season, coming from behind at the Franchi to inflict the first defeat of the season on Juve with Giuseppe Rossi netting a hat trick in a 4-2 win. "We need to forget about that game," warned Montella. "I don't think they are going to be seeking revenge for that defeat either." What Juve are seeking is to remain ahead of Roma in the race for the title this season, and self-confidence is certainly not lacking in the Bianconeri camp. Their last-gasp win over Torino last weekend maintained their three-point advantage over Roma, whose coach Rudi Garcia has already laid down the gauntlet to Juve by proclaiming his side are good enough to win the league this season. "They are convinced, and we are convinced too," Allegri said at a news conference. "We have a side of young, ambitious players with some elder players who embody the spirit of Juve. We need to beat Fiorentina to keep in front, to have [at least] three points advantage. "It's only normal that [Roma] think they can win the league, and it's normal that we think the very same way. It's going to be a fine battle right to the very end." Roma face Sassuolo on Saturday evening, and can open up an 11-point advantage over third-placed Napoli with victory over one of only two sides to have taken points off Juve all season.
|
