Sassuolo v Fiorentina - Match Preview

Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella is determined to keep him team focussed on the task at hand when Fiorentina take on Sassuolo in the Saturday evening kick off at the Mapei Stadium. Any thoughts of the upcoming Europa League tie versus Tottenham next Thursday will have to be put aside until after the game. With the team competing on three fronts, however, squad rotation is of the essence. Regular first teamers such as Mario Gomez, Borja Valero, Joaquin and Manuel Pasqual look likely to be rested, whilst loanee Mohammed Salah should start for the first time. Alberto Aquilani, Jose Maria Basanta and Juan Vargas are injury doubts for la viola as they look to capitalise on 5 league games unbeaten.

Twelfth placed Sassuolo are exceeding expectations this season, and will have their prolific trident of attackers Simone Zaza, Domenico Berardi and Nicola Sansone all available again after they missed the last fixture against Sampdoria. Midfielders Saphir Taider and Simone Missiroli will miss the match through suspension and injury respectively. Manager Eusebio Di Francesco will certainly be looking to get one over on his old Empoli and AS Roma teammate Vincenzo Montella.

After Fiorentina left it late last Sunday with a last minute Pasqual winner against Atalanta, let's hope that the ragazzi save our nerves and have the match sewn up in good time this week. Forza Viola!

Projected lineups:

FIORENTINA (4-4-3): TATARUSANU; ALONSO, SAVIC, RODRIGUEZ, RICHARDS; KURTIC, PIZARRO, FERNANDEZ; DIAMANTI, SALAH, BABACAR

SASSUOLO (4-3-3): CONSIGLI; GAZZOLA, CANNAVARO, ACERBI, LONGHI; BRIGHI, MAGNANELLI, BIONDINI; BERARDI, ZAZA SANSONE