Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Italiano believes the midfield battle will be key in Wednesday night’s Europa Conference League battle.
The Italian side meet West Ham in Prague to decide the winner of only the second-ever iteration of this particular tournament.
La Viola have already reached a cup final this season, losing 3-1 to Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia edition last month.
Italiano has hailed Hammers boss David Moyes as “one the best” in England but believes the fact Roma, Inter and his side have all reached a European final this season shows the strength of Italian football.
They finished eighth in Serie A and Italiano believes Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat will be key in stopping West Ham captain Declan Rice.
The midfielder was a target for Tottenham last year and starred as the Atlas Lions reached the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar.
Speaking on the eve of the game, Italiano said: “Rice will duel with Amrabat in the middle of the field and we hope that Sofyan will win the battle in that area of ââthe pitch.”
