Juventus vs Fiorentina preview - Vote of confidence for Mihajlovic
Posted Tuesday, October 25, 2011 by PA
Fiorentina coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has been given the full backing of club owner Andrea Della Valle ahead of the Serie A trip to Juventus.
Last weekend's 2-2 home draw against Catania extended Fiorentina's winless run to four games and dropped the Viola to 10th in the standings.
Defeats at Juve and against Genoa on Sunday could prove costly for Mihajlovic, according to reports in Italy.
However, on suggestions Mihajlovic's job could be in jeopardy, Della Valle told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Absolutely not.
"I have full confidence in Sinisa and he is not under threat.
"He is not at fault.
"I can understand the fans' disappointment but we have all the ingredients to do well.
"Now we must focus on the games against Juventus and Genoa and get as many points as possible in those two games."
Fiorentina will welcome back striker Alberto Gilardino into their starting XI.
The Italy international, who played the final six minutes of Saturday's game after being out for five weeks with a knee injury, will partner Stevan Jovetic in Fiorentina's attack.
Juventus coach Antonio Conte was disappointed with his team's 2-2 result against Genoa on Saturday - their fourth draw in five games.
The Turin outfit were pegged back twice by Genoa and had to settle for a draw.
"We have to continue to grow," Conte said. "We lost two points against Genoa and we should have showed more focus.
"We need to keep working hard."
Juve, who are unbeaten this season, are third in the standings, two points adrift of Serie A leaders Udinese.
The hosts are hoping to recover goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who missed the game against Genoa with a shoulder injury.
Should the Italy international fail in his bid to be fit, Marco Storari will take his place between the posts.
The visitors will be without midfielder Riccardo Montolivo, who serves a one-match ban.
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