ACF Fiorentina || Viola

Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella has thanked the club for deciding to keep Stevan Jovetic at the club.

The forward was targeted by both Juventus and Manchester City in the summer, but he has remained to score four goals in their first three League games.

“Jovetic is an extraordinary player,” the former Roma and Catania boss told Radio Anch’Io Lo Sport on Monday. “He’s also a really ambitious player.

“I personally welcomed the decision of the club to keep him here with us.”

Fiorentina are being tipped to be one of the surprises of the season after some substantial work on the transfer market.

“The idea was to create a team that could play good football and we needed players of talent for that,” Montella added.

“The fans are also close to us and we are happy with what we are achieving.”

The Viola beat Catania 2-0 at the weekend with Jovetic and new signing Luca Toni on the score-sheet at the Franchi.

“Luca is really enthusiastic,” the tactician added. “What he did was all down to him.”

Parma vs Fiorentina Preview
Parma general manager Pietro Leonardi has denied speculation that he could have been working for the opposition as Fiorentina visit the Stadio Ennio Tardini on Saturday.
The Italian businessman has revived the fortunes of the Ducali club since arriving in 2009 and reports in Italy this summer suggested he had been approached by the Della Valle family to perform a similar role for the ailing Tuscan giants.
But Leonardi insists that the prospect of a move elsewhere was never a reality with so much unfinished business remaining in Emilia-Romagna.
He told fcparma.com: "I never refused Fiorentina, these are the kind of rumours that often emerge during a transfer window.
"I've always said that I'm happy at Parma and I want to continue my project in this city.
"The Della Valles are people I have great respect for, in terms of how they handle themselves in football, but there was never an agreement for me to go to Florence.
"I expect a performance full of pride from my team on Saturday, especially after the defeat in Naples, and considering that La Viola are worried about their next game against Juventus.
"Together with (head coach Roberto) Donadoni, we have built a highly competitive team and I don't regret anything we did in the transfer market."
Veteran winger Marco Marchionni is set to make his second debut for the Crociati after returning to the Tardini on a free transfer earlier this week.
"It's fate that Marchionni has come back to finish his career with me," Leonardi added.
"He's a guy I brought to Empoli when he was an amateur, he's part of my family."
Amauri could also run out against his former club as Parma strive for a seventh consecutive home victory, but midfielder Jonathan Biabany remains sidelined.
Meanwhile, Nenad Tomovic is looking forward to forging a strong defensive partnership with new recruit Stefan Savic, as Fiorentina chase a third league win of the fledgling season.
He told Viola Channel: "He made the right decision coming to Fiorentina.
"If we continue to play as we have done in previous matches we will enjoy it."

A goalless draw was never assured as Fiorentina went close on an number of occasions, but the 0-0 was always a possibility simply because of the lack of attacking players in the final third. Giovinco and Ljajic were given huge creative responsibility – Ljajic was brighter yet typically frustrating, offering good movement and clever dribbling, but being booked for diving and missing the game’s best chance.

Fiorentina were more positive and better in almost every area. Pizarro outshone Pirlo, the wing-backs played higher up the pitch, the two forwards were more involved, there was more attacking urgency from the centre-backs.

Juve were underwhelming, but illustrated why they’re on such a long unbeaten run with a battling, committed display.