Toni out of Milan testFiorentina will travel to San Siro without star striker Luca Toni, but Cesare Prandelli assures his side will take plenty of shots at Milan.
The 2006 Golden Boot winner has been struggling with an ankle problem for some time and was a major doubt to start Sunday’s game, but he has not even made the trip.
Instead Giampaolo Pazzini is again expected to partner Reginaldo and Adrian Mutu in a trident attack.
“We are taking on a great side in a difficult stadium,†noted Coach Prandelli.
“We have worked very hard on a tactical level, but above all I asked my lads to shoot for goal every time they get the slightest opportunity.â€
With Nelson Dida looking shaky this season and the Rossoneri tired from their midweek Champions League mauling of Manchester United, Fiorentina hope to take advantage.
“There will probably be a real battle in midfield with a fight for every ball. We need an important and determined performance – I know we have the players with the personality to do that.â€
Toni is not the only absentee for Prandelli, as Alessandro Potenza, Tomas Ujfalusi, Marco Donadel and Mario Alberto Santana are also sidelined.
“I will again field Martin Jorgensen as a right-back,†revealed the Coach after the successful experiment in last week’s 1-0 win over Chievo.
“I ask him to make the most of his experience and tactical intelligence.â€
Captain Dario Dainelli is a doubt after spending the week in bed with a serious flu that is reported to have seen him lose 3kg. If he fails to recover, then Per Kroldrup will take the central defensive role.
“We must not forget that Milan are in the Final of the Champions League. It was a remarkable achievement and I am happy they answered the criticism that rained down on Italian football.â€
Fiorentina squad: Alex, Blasi, Brivio, Dainelli, Di Carmine, Frey, Gamberini, Gobbi, Jorgensen, Kroldrup, Kuzmanovic, Liverani, Lupatelli, Manfredini, Montolivo, Mutu, Pasqual, Pazienza, Pazzini, Reginaldo.
Channel4