Cesare wants Viola to be motivated

Cesare wants Viola to be motivated

Fiorentina will attempt to put the turmoil of the past week behind them as they travel to Tuscan neighbours Livorno on Saturday.

Club president Andrea Della Valle stepped down on Thursday in the wake of growing discontent from fans.

However, coach Cesare Prandelli is confident it will have little effect on the dressing room.

"Tomorrow we will play our game with the right concentration and determination in the search for continuity," he said. "The relationship with the president has always been deep and sincere and it will remain so although with less of a presence.

"The players know they have not been left alone, that is the message sent by the president.

"We have to play our game, the sporting one. The team have to go onto the pitch motivated; the club have another match to play.

"Preparation for the game is the most important thing, as is the right determination and aggression."

Fiorentina bounced back from their 3-1 loss to Roma by ending Sampdoria's 100% record midweek.

Despite Livorno's lowly position Prandelli knows they face an equally tough task on Saturday and that they cannot afford to have one eye on Tuesday's Champions League clash at home to Liverpool.

"We are focused only on the Livorno game," he added. "It's unthinkable to have your mind on two things.

"We have to arrive prepared, it's a difficult derby because they are going through a particular period.

"We know we should not underestimate Livorno. Their characteristics are that of a squad with experience and physical strength.

"When you have experience you always find the right spirit and we have to be prepared."

Gianluca Comotto and Mario Alberto are both out of the trip after picking up injuries against Sampdoria, and Prandelli will be sweating on their fitness for the Liverpool match.

Livorno will be hoping to avoid their third straight defeat when they welcome Fiorentina to the Stadio Armando Picchi where the fans

are still waiting to see their first goal.

The newly-promoted side have yet to claim a victory this season after five games played and they lost 2-0 at Bologna midweek with a performance that left coach Vittorio Russo fuming.

"We played all right for half an hour but then after their first goal we fell apart and became nervous," he said. "I am not happy with my team's performance. They failed to react and we didn't play well.

"Now what's important is not to give up.

"I expect my players to show more determination, starting on Saturday when we face a big test against Fiorentina.

"In the derby we have to find the right concentration and grit."

Inter defender Nelson Rivas is back in training and has been included in the squad but is unlikely to feature against Fiorentina.

Tomas Danilevicius is definitely out.