[dukeofdavinci]

Cesare awaits Viola kick-off Thursday 17 July, 2008

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Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli can’t wait for the season to start as he struggles through his first summer since the tragic loss of his wife.

Prandelli is one of the most popular Coaches in Italian football and is renowned for his sporting nature.

And the whole calcio world rallied round the Viola tactician when his wife Manuela lost her battle against cancer last November.

Without the constant coaching demands to keep him busy, Prandelli has found the summer a tough time.

“I am a tortured soul,” Prandelli admitted. “Luckily I have my sons around me and have been able to spend time with friends in Milan and Sardinia.

“Basically I have kept busy because I don’t want to stop, but I can’t wait to get the season started with my team.”

Prandelli will finally have the chance to impress in the Champions League after last season’s dramatic fourth-placed finish, but he is still focused on domestic matters.

“We don’t need to put new pressures on ourselves, even though we have had three years of great results and have strengthened this summer,” he said.

“It would be good if Nicolas Burdisso arrived, but I won’t make demands due to respect for the squad.

“Inter remain the side to beat in Serie A, but Juventus have reinforced and will be very strong.

Roma have their strengths and Milan are becoming ever more Brazilian, while Sampdoria, Palermo and Udinese will also be thereabouts.”

Fiorentina's first pre-season game is against Castelrotto on July 20.

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