Vanoli: 'I'm captivated by De Bruyne, Allegri is a proven winner'

Coach Paolo Vanoli admits he's "in love with Kevin De Bruyne" and cautions Fiorentina that "preventative marking is crucial" when facing Max Allegri's Napoli.

The match is set for Sunday at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, kicking off at 11:30 AM UK time.

Vanoli previously revived Fiorentina last season, guiding them from the bottom of Serie A to safety. He has been brought back to repeat the feat following Fabio Grosso's departure.

His return saw an encouraging start with a 4-2 away win against Venezia and a subsequent 3-0 Coppa Italia victory over Pisa.

Vanoli's impact on Fiorentina

“I’ve always believed this team needs to focus on the future,” Vanoli stated in his press conference.

“We face a formidable Napoli side, so we must play with boldness and without hesitation. I’ve communicated my expectations to the players. Even with potential absences, Napoli remains a threat for the Scudetto and possesses players capable of turning the tide.

“De Bruyne has a particular appeal to me; he can exploit those spaces and create significant challenges for us. Allegri is a winner, and his defensive approach can be effective, but it demands exceptional precision in our passing, as they are poised for counter-attacks.

“I consider Rasmus Hojlund to be the fastest striker in Serie A in open play. This makes diligent preventative marking absolutely essential.”

Vanoli has been focused on team cohesion, including organizing a barbecue at the training ground recently.

“Spending quality time together and fostering a strong bond was important. I plan to treat the players to dinner when we reach certain milestones.”

Still settling in, the coach is evaluating his optimal starting lineup, which might feature Christ Inao Oulai and Nicolò Fagioli playing in tandem as playmakers.

“I believe this dual-playmaker setup could suit our style of football. The key is maintaining balance, as we have young players and frequently lose our defensive stability.”

Arthur Atta and Radu Dragusin have recovered from their injuries and are available. However, their readiness to start remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Mateo Pellegrino and Beto are competing for the central striker position.