Fiorentina against Juventus is more than a normal game. As history bears witness.

The beauty of Fiorentina-Juve will depend on how the two managers will set the match with a certain refined tactical level for the battle: Antonio Conte is more experienced and successful while Vincenzo Montella has a self-esteem than any shade shown in public.

 

Montella’s Viola have been looking very convincing on the whole after the “Aeroplanino” took over the team last summer. While the former viola star Stevan Jovetic was let go ahead of this season, the acquisitions of Mario Gomez, Joaquin and Giuseppe Rossi (in June and January respectively) does not leave the impression that their offense has been weakened much. And despite an injury to the prolific German, the goals of the italian Giuseppe Rossi (5 so far) has kept the team in fine shape going forward. Those injuries, notably that of Gomez, have seen the manager try a variety of formations, but he will probably going to settle a 3-5-1-1 against the Old Lady to try and counter the Bianconeri midfield. That being said, Cuadrado on the right wing is likely to be very offensive, while Pasqual on the other side can drop to fullback, hence making the system more like a 4-3-3 in effect.

 

Moving to the Bianconeri side, the team is clearly capable of playing breathtaking football at times. But it seems that they are almost too aware of the opponents that await them in the game around the corner. It’s as if the team is genuinely afraid to use too much energy as soon as a result seems assured. While there is all the logic in the world in preserving energy when facing a long hard season, going into a game with that mindset rarely does a team any good. Surely Conte is well aware of this – the ‘problem’ is that it has worked rather well in the league so far. Moreover that in this particular game, with Real Madrid on the horizon, such an approach can hardly be condemned.

 

We just have to wait what the game has to offer. Certainly both managers will ensure a breathtaking football.