Juventus Wary of Fiorentina After Sevilla Setback
Along with leaders Inter Milan, Napoli and Roma, Fiorentina under coach Paulo Sousa are threatening Juventus' four-year grip on the league trophy in a thrilling battle for Serie A supremacy.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: December 12, 2015 09:42 PM IST
![Juventus Wary of Fiorentina After Sevilla Setback](https://s.ndtvimg.com/images/content/2015/nov/806/juventus-celeb-3011.jpg)
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri paid tribute to the "excellent" football being played by Fiorentina and called for caution when the sides meet Sunday seeking a comeback from a Champions League setback. (Read more football stories here)
Along with leaders Inter Milan, Napoli and Roma, Fiorentina under coach Paulo Sousa are threatening Juve's four-year grip on the league trophy in a thrilling battle for Serie A supremacy.
Sousa's men travel to Turin with a league-leading tally of 30 goals that has left them second in the table just one point behind Inter, with Napoli two points off the pace and Roma five behind in fifth.
Juventus are sixth, six points behind Inter following a disastrous start to their title defence. Allegri is counting on making it six wins out of six in their final home game of the year.
But after a 1-0 midweek loss at Sevilla saw Juve lose top spot in their group to Manchester City, Allegri warned: "Fiorentina are playing some excellent football, they're technical and aggressive at the same time.
"Tomorrow we have to attack them and make sure we don't drop our guard, as happened against Sevilla in midweek.
"We played well in that game but made mistakes on two or three occasions and they managed to score."
Juventus, who are away to Carpi in their final games of the season next week, are set to welcome German international Sami Khedira back after almost a month on the sidelines.
It would add a much-needed boost to a depleted midfield and a win on Sunday, said Allegri, "would allow us to recover a little bit quicker than we had anticipated" as they target another league and Cup double and a repeat of their Champions League final feat.
Juventus host city rivals Torino in the last 16 of the Cup on Wednesday, and Allegri added: "We want to be in all three competitions come March, so we'll wait and see how we fare in the Champions League draw on Monday then it's full steam ahead for the derby on Wednesday.
"If we're still among the top sides in the league come March, then we have a chance. A win tomorrow would help us along the way."
Fiorentina striker Nikola Kalinic, who has scored nine goals so far including a hat-trick in a stunning 4-1 win over Inter at the San Siro, is one of many players flourishing under Sousa.
Having lost away to Napoli (2-1) and at home to Roma (1-2), Sousa said he wants another big Serie A scalp.
"We want to be protagonists, play with confidence and make the most of our qualities," he said.
"Tomorrow will be difficult, but we'll be fighting to cross the finish line first."
Asked about speculation linking him to Juventus since making his reference to Champions League success, Sousa said:
"I've never thought of a specific club, I'm happy with what life has given me right now. We're playing against clubs that are helping me to improve myself.
"I'm happy to be at Fiorentina and to give everything I have to make the fans happy."