Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella has urged his players to put their weekend setback behind them and focus on tonight’s Coppa Italia semi-final first leg at Udinese.

The Viola suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat at struggling Cagliari on Saturday to see their six-match unbeaten run in Serie A come to an end.

The result left Fiorentina fourth in the standings, three points behind Napoli, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

“Against Cagliari we didn’t play to the standard we are used to,” Montella said.

“We didn’t make the most of our chances and Cagliari deserved the win. Those that played should have done better.

“There are things we need to work on. Sometimes defeats are healthy in order to put things right and I hope this will be the case. I expect a reaction from my players in Udine.”

Fiorentina have not won the Italian Cup since the 2000/01 campaign and expects no favours from an Udinese side that eliminated Inter and Milan to reach the last four of the competition.

Udinese, who travel to Florence for the return leg on February 11, have never lifted the Coppa.

They go into the encounter at the Friuli stadium with confidence boosted after ending a four-match losing streak in Serie A with a 2-0 triumph at Bologna.

Coppa Italia SFs (1st legs)

Playing today
Udinese vs Fiorentina - 21.00

Tomorrow
Roma vs Napoli - 20.45

Serie A

Played yesterday

Genoa 0
Sampdoria 1
Lopez 24;

HT: 0-1. Att: 25,000.

Standings