Fiorentina have conceded defeat to Napoli in the race for Champions League football but the Viola can finish their season on a high with victory in tonight’s Coppa Italia final.
Napoli are set to finish third in Serie A as they are eightpoints clear of nearest rivals Fiorentina with three games remaining.
Both sides are eager to confirm their status as a power in Italy and can do so with victory at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
“We want to win the Coppa Italia and finish fourth in the league,” Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella said.
“It has been a difficult season due to injuries and my team has done an extraordinary job.
“I would have liked to have had all my players available for this final.”
The Viola, who have not won the Coppa since the 2000-01 campaign, lost their top scorer Giuseppe Rossi to a serious knee injury back in January.
Moreover, the club’s top summer signing Mario Gomez has been plagued by injuries, making just nine league appearances all season.
Both players have been included in Fiorentina’s travelling party but are unlikely to feature today.
“Rossi is finding his rhythm in training and I think he will be ready for the World Cup,” Montella said.
“But in a final you cannot use players that need to find their form.
“I have an idea of who will play but it will be the condition of the players to make the difference.”
Montella, who will be without suspended midfielder Juan Cuadrado, is hoping to recover midfielder Borja Valero and goalkeeper Norberto Neto, both doubtful.
Valero sustained a knee injury in last weekend’s 3-0 triumph at Bologna while Neto hurt a finger in training this week.
Rivals Napoli will be bolstered by the presence of the team’s top scorer Gonzalo Higuain.
The Argentinian striker sustained a heavy bruise to the right shin bone during his team’s goalless draw at Inter last time out and has been fighting against the clock to recover for the game.
“Not everyone in the team is 100 per cent, but we are in good shape,” Napoli coach Rafael Benitez said.
“I’m optimistic that Higuain will recover.”
Benitez, who is in his first season at Napoli, expects a battle from start to finish against the Viola.
“We can win but we can’t make the mistake of thinking it will happen just because we are Napoli,” he said.
“Fiorentina keep the ball well and have character.
“But we hope to lift the Coppa because people’s evaluation of our season will also depend on this final. In any case, whatever happens at the Olimpico, I consider our season a success.”
Napoli, who became the first club to exit the Champions League group stages despite taking 12 points earlier this season, last won the Italian cup in 2012.
Fixtures
Coppa Italia Final
Fiorentina vs Napolitoday, 21.00
(Olympic Stadium, Rome)
Serie A
Tomorrow – 15.00
Catania vs Roma
Chievo vs Torino
Genoa vs Bologna
Milan vs Inter 20.45
Parma vs Sampdoria
Udinese vs Livorno
Monday
Lazio vs Verona 19.00
Juventus vs Atalanta 21.00
Tuesday
Fiorentina vs Sassuolo 19.00
Napoli vs Cagliari 21.00
Standings: Juventus 93; Roma 85; Napoli 69; Fiorentina 61; Inter 57; Torino, Lazio, Verona 52; Parma, Milan 51; Atalanta 47; Sampdoria 44; Genoa 40; Cagliari, Udinese 39; Chievo 30; Bologna, Sassuolo 28; Livorno 25; Catania 23.
Serie B
Played Yesterday
Spezia vs Reggina 2-1
Today – 15.00
Brescia vs Empoli
Carpi vs Pescara
Cesena vs Avellino
Cittadella vs Varese
Crotone vs Padova
Juve Stabia vs Latina
Lanciano vs Trapani 18.00
Novara vs Palermo
Siena vs Modena
Ternana vs Bari
Leading standings: Palermo 75; Empoli 59; Latina 57; Crotone 55; Lanciano, Spezia 54; Cesena 53; Siena (-8), Trapani, Avellino 52.