[D-Kin]

Prandelli takes aim at Ascoli Monday 10 December, 2007

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Fiorentina take on Ascoli in the Coppa Italia tomorrow night and Coach Cesare Prandelli wants the Viola to get back on track.

The Viola have dropped out of the Scudetto race after defeats against Udinese and Palermo and seem to be in a slump.

They can take nothing for granted against Serie B outfit Ascoli who have already beaten Atalanta and Genoa – both 3-2 after extra time – in the Coppa.

“It’s a strange time and possibly quite a difficult one,” Prandelli admitted. “But this side has never let me down in adversity and we remain a united group.

“Sooner or later a dip in form had to come. Of course we want to do better, but I know that we gave our all in the last few games and things just didn’t go right.”

The Gigliati are facing a defensive shortage as Alessandro Gamberini added to an injury crisis by sustaining a muscular problem against Palermo.

“If you look at our injury statistics, we have had fewer than we had last year,” Prandelli claimed. “Unfortunately, they have all been to defenders.”

While Serie A’s giants often take the Coppa Italia lightly, Prandelli sees it as one of the season’s priorities.

“We want to progress in all competitions,” the former Parma man stressed.

“We have dropped some points in the League, but we are moving on in the UEFA Cup and the Coppa Italia. We need to limit the damage and get through against Ascoli using players who haven’t had that much time.”

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