Vanoli calls Napoli a title contender ahead of Fiorentina clash

Two days before hosting Napoli at the Franchi, Fiorentina head coach Paolo Vanoli delivered a heavyweight endorsement of the opposition. Napoli, he said, "even though they have a lot of absences, have a strong squad that can fight for the title."

De Bruyne and Højlund

I'm in love with De Bruyne, who knows how to find space and can cause us problems. I'm not the one discovering him.

Vanoli also flagged Rasmus Højlund, "the fastest striker in Serie A in open play," adding that "preventive marking will be essential."

Respect for Allegri

On Allegri, Vanoli was unequivocal: "We're talking about a great coach, a winner." He accepted that Allegri's approach — sitting back rather than dictating the game — "can be a strategy," and warned that Fiorentina would have to stay alert even in possession, because against Napoli "we'll have to suffer."

It's the standard pre-match script: praising the opponent costs little and shields your own team from criticism if it loses. But the picture Vanoli paints, of a title-chasing Napoli, sits oddly with the facts: tenth place, two wins and two defeats in the first four rounds, an attack in which only Højlund has scored more than once and Lucca still goalless after his summer move.

The compliment looks more useful to his own players than an accurate reading of the table.

Fiorentina's own fitness news

Vanoli also updated on his squad. Atta has recovered, "he lacked a bit of continuity in training over the last period," while Dragusin — who went off early with a muscular issue during the 3-0 win over Pisa in the Coppa Italia (Italy's cup competition) — "trained with us today" and looks set to be available.

On midfield, Vanoli didn't rule out a double pivot with Oulai and Fagioli: "Given the type of game we have, with talent, maybe two pivots could help us; depending on the game, maybe just one is needed." Balance remains the watchword: "We have young players with quality, but going around the pitch we often lose our defensive balance." The clean sheet against Pisa was pleasing, he said, "but we're only at the start of a process, and against Napoli we'll definitely have to suffer."

Fiorentina host Napoli on Sunday 20 September at 12:30 CET at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, with Daniele Doveri refereeing. It's the sides' first official meeting this season — the return leg is already set for the Coppa Italia last 16 at the Maradona. For Allegri, it's a chance to offer different answers to those his side have given in the league so far; for Vanoli, the first real test of his Fiorentina since the coaching change.