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Mencucci, Fattori, Cincotta react to Champions League draw

Nyon

2017-09-01

The reaction from Fiorentina was one of due respect combined with cautious optimism after the Viola were pitted against Fortuna Hjorring of Denmark in the draw for the UEFA Women's Champions League round of 32.

The first leg will be played on 4/5 October in Florence, with the return leg in Denmark on 11/12 October. 

Fiorentina Women's FC president Sandro Mencucci said the Viola would prepare for "two intense games against a tough, very physical outfit". You can listen to his thoughts in the video above.

Head coach Sauro Fattori meanwhile pointed to the Danes' vast international experience but promised that Fiorentina would head into the tie with no fear.

"They're a club that are used to playing in the Champions League, with a long history and a great deal of international experience," Fattori observed. "And we mustn't forget that Denmark were finalists at this summer's European Championships, so there's a whole national set-up behind them.

"We'll make sure we're in the best shape possible. I never go into anything just to make up the numbers. We'll certainly give them a game."

Fortuna Hjorring will be facing Italian opponents for the sixth time in nine years - having gone through on four of the five previous occasions - but, while noting their good record, Antonio Cincotta also expressed quiet confidence about Fiorentina's chances of progressing to the last 16.

"They're a great team and very strong physically," he began. "They've played a lot of Italian sides in recent years and always done well so we're certainly not expecting it to be easy. It will be a very tough tie but we're not going to roll over for them.

"We'll get straight to work to ensure we're ready for it and hopefully be able to take Florence into the next round of the competition."


(Homepage photo: Fiorentina Women's FC president Sandro Mencucci, Fortuna Hjorring president Jette Andersen and Fiorentina Women's FC club secretary Luca Pacini)


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