Montella tips Juventus and Napoli to battle it out for Serie A title

Oct 11, 2012 12:24:00 AM

The Viola boss says the division's early pacesetters have the character to continue their impressive form and praised the respective qualities of both sides

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella is tipping Juventus and Napoli to battle it out for the Serie A title.

Montella's side have started the season promisingly but trail the pair by eight points after the first seven league games.

The Viola coach claims the competitiveness Antonio Conte has instilled in the Turin side makes the defending champions formidable opposition.

"Conte created a team that believes in what he does, plays with great fury, and maintains it for 95 minutes," the former Roma striker told Corriere dello Sport.

The 38-year-old has also been impressed with the start Napoli have made, despite them not always hitting top gear.

"When a team wins with minimal effort it is a great sign. Napoli have also won against Fiorentina, which for me is a sign of a team that can compete for the title," he added.

Montella then went on to stress that it would be wrong for Fiorentina to try and copy Barcelona's style of play as the Catalans are one of a kind.

"It would be a mistake to use Barcelona as an example. They really are extraordinary and unique in what they do. It's true, though, that smaller strikers have become fashionable again."

The young coach also had his say on the collapsed transfer of Dimitar Berbatov during the summer transfer window, and stressed that he's happy with the squad he has.

"I honestly don't mind that Berbatov eventually didn't join us. If I look at our transfer activity throughout the summer, the club's done an excellent job."

Berbatov eventually snubbed Fiorentina for Fulham as he preferred to remain in England.

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