Fiorentina vc Ac milan (Game comment)

Ancelotti confident in Florence
20.11 || webmaster || $source

Source: Football Italia

Carlo Ancelotti has analysed Fiorentina’s new structure, but warns that Milan want to recapture the top of the table.

“The Viola are the surprise side of the tournament so far and will play with real enthusiasm,” explained Ancelotti ahead of Sunday’s showdown at the Stadio Franchi.

“They have changed radically from last season with a new Coach and players. I think this will be a very important match for them, not only as a challenge for second place, but also to see how they measure up to Milan.”

Only three points separate these teams and both are on winning streaks – four on the trot for Fiorentina, eight for Milan – so something has to give on Sunday afternoon. It’s believed Cesare Prandelli will change his tactics for this tie, leaving Luca Toni upfront as sole striker supported by Martin Jorgensen and Riccardo Montolivo.

“Fiorentina have a very linear squad structure,” insisted Ancelotti. “They rely heavily on Toni’s quality, have a solid defence and midfield with attacking wingers. It’s a classic 4-4-2. Toni is having the kind of form at the moment where everything he touches turns to gold and I can see Montolivo coming in to give them extra midfield support.”

The Rossoneri realise they are torn between winning this crunch match in the Scudetto race and preparing for their crucial Champions League trip to Fenerbahce on Wednesday.

“The squad is doing well both physically and psychologically, so we want to continue our winning streak. The fact that Juventus face a difficult test at Roma and could slip up, allowing us to recapture the top of the table, is an important motivation.”

Ancelotti also hit back at Billy Costacurta, who suggested this week that players inevitably stop listening to their Coach after four or five years.

“It is true that a tactician must be creative to keep his side motivated, but the players need to work at it as well. We have to live this sport on a daily basis and I can assure you that the squad is on my wavelength.”

Andriy Shevchenko, Christian Vieri and Marcos Cafu are in the squad travelling to Florence, but Swiss international Johan Vogel remains at home.

Milan squad: Dida, Fiori, Kalac; Cafu, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Simic, Stam; Gattuso, Kaka, Pirlo, Rui Costa, Seedorf, Serginho; Inzaghi, Gilardino, Shevchenko