Fiorentina have found their stride under coach Paulo Sousa and lead the Serie A standings for the first time since February 1999.

The Viola beat 10-man Atalanta 3-0 on Sunday evening to move two points clear of nearest rivals Inter after seven games played.

Sousa, who replaced Vincenzo Montella at the helm of the Tuscan outfit this summer, has led Fiorentina to six victories and just one defeat so far.

“We are doing well, we are working hard and the players are following what I tell them to do,” Sousa told reporters.

“They understand the strategy. I’m happy for the players, for the good performance, for their belief.

“They give everything and in the end the results come our way.”

Sunday’s win capped a magnificent week for Fiorentina, who won 4-1 at Inter before Thursday’s 4-0 triumph at Belenenses in the Europa League.

“We won against Atalanta even though we had little time to prepare for the game. It’s a beautiful feeling to have the people and the city pushing you so that we don’t slow down,” Sousa said.

“It’s important to feel that we have that support, the fans transmit that energy to the players.

“We still have to work on defence. We are playing good quality football but we need to continue to improve.”

Fiorentina last won the scudetto in the 1968-69 campaign but came close under coach Giovanni Trapattoni in 1998-99 when Gabriel Batistuta was the team’s iconic striker. They finished third in the standings that year.

“With respect to the scudetto, other teams are better than us but we believe we can compete,” Sousa said.

“There’s nothing wrong with dreaming but we have to dream with our eyes open, showing the right mentality.”