Vincenzo Montella focused on securing European football for Fiorentina

Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Montella is focusing on securing European qualification rather than battling Milan for third place in Serie A.

With his side currently sitting in fourth place, the 38-year-old called for focus on securing European football next season before challenging Milan for the final UEFA Champions League qualifying spot.

The former Italy international, who took over in Florence in June 2012, has masterminded seven wins in their last 10 games which has propelled them up Serie A and into top three contention.

With four games of the season remaining, and the gap to third place just one point, Montella knows they can push Milan all the way despite their rivals having much more experience at the top end of the table.

“Let us consolidate our place in the (UEFA) Europa League,” he said.

“After that we’ll then see about the rest and the duel with Milan.

“They (Milan) have a lot more experience than we do, but my side is alive and we’re going through a good moment.”

Fiorentina face Roma in their next Serie A fixture and Montella knows everything he needs to about their opponents. He is held in high regard in Rome after making 194 appearances
for the club, scoring 83 goals, and for taking charge of the first team
on an interim basis following the departure of Claudio Ranieri in 2011.

He managed 16 games for the club, and despite guiding them to seven wins during that time he was
not offered the role on a permanent basis. He left Roma for Catania before
arriving in Florence, and has warned his players of the tough challenge that lay in front of them.

“We will be taking on a great side,” he said.

“They have some great players and you can lose against a team like them.

“I’d take Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and Erik Lamela out of their side.”