View from the Opposition: A Fiorentina fan's perspective

Roma hope to continue their undefeated start to the Serie A season in Florence this weekend, as they take on the Paulo Sousa’s Viola side.

Fiorentina will hope to take a European spot at the end of the season, so we asked fan Chloe Beresford to tell us more about the team and how it’s changed since Vincenzo Montella’s era ended…

Fiorentina finished 5th last season, qualifying for the Europa league and currently sit 13th after one win and a loss, how has the start of the season gone so far?

“It is hard to tell so far as they have had a mixed start to the season. The first game away to Juventus was always going to be difficult and although the Viola won against Chievo, they stifled our play and it was hard to assess how the team had improved. Then, the match against Genoa was abandoned because of the rain! So the game against Roma is a good way to assess the squad and Sousa as they lost both games last season.”

What has the transfer window been like for Fiorentina?

“Fairly mixed to be honest, the owners of Fiorentina operate to very strict budgets and the fans often get frustrated at the lack of spending. The major plus point was securing Cristian Tello from Barcelona after he spent the end of last season with the club but it was a blow to lose Marcos Alonso to Chelsea on transfer deadline day.

“Most reinforcements have been lesser known players that have been acquired for low money by sporting director Pantaleo Corvino, but he does have a good record so we will see how they work out.”

Fiorentina were the Italian club Salah played for before he moved to Roma, what are the Fiorentina fans’ view of him?

“I’m not sure that you could print the reply if I told you honestly! The whole Salah issue left a sour taste in the mouth after Fiorentina insisted that Chelsea had agreed to loan him for another season, and after confessing his love for Florence, he then suddenly moved to Roma. There is no doubt that he is a superb player, but it's best not to mention his name at the Artemio Franchi!”

Which players could make an impact against Roma?

“Borja Valero, who was linked with Roma in the summer, is the driving force in the midfield. The organisation of captain Gonzalo Rodriguez is our best weapon against Roma's deadly attack, and watch out for the aforementioned Tello.”

What sort of tactical set-up could we see from Fiorentina in this match?

“Like Vincenzo Montella before him, Sousa has proven to be very flexible in his tactical approach to matches & tailors his system depending on the opposition's usual style. With Roma all but certain to use their favoured 4-3-3 framework, the Fiorentina boss may change to a back four and pack the midfield while ensuring the side remain strong out wide to combat the strength of the Giallorossi in those areas.”

How do Fiorentina fans view Roma? And what have they made of the Roma's transfer window?

“Although they have a smaller budget to Roma, Fiorentina see them as rivals for the top spots in the league. It was unfortunate for Roma to lose Mario Rui in pre-season to injury, as he had a good season with Fiorentina's Tuscan neighbours Empoli last year, but the signings of Thomas Vermaelen and Bruno Peres were certainly impressive and I expect Roma to carry on the good form that came at the end of the last campaign.”

If you could add one player from Roma to Fiorentina’s squad, who would it be?

“Given our chequered history with right backs (we went through two transfer windows without one at the club last season) I would definitely choose Bruno Peres, who looks to be a great signing by the Giallorossi.”

Follow @james_gooderson and @chloejberesford on Twitter.