Poleksic wary of Jovetic threat

Stevan Jovetic stunned Liverpool with a pair of goals two weeks ago in the Champions League but he is unlikely to surprise Debreceni goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic on Tuesday night.

The Fiorentina striker’s heroics against the Reds secured the Viola’s first win in Group E but Poleksic is familiar with Jovetic’s skills as they are team-mates for Montenegro.

“Jovetic is the true talent of our national team,” he said.

“I know he has quality and his best is yet to come. But I don’t fear him.

“I know his style of play very well and I know how we can try to stop him, although it will take a team effort to do so.

“However, we are aware that Fiorentina are not just Jovetic and that they have other great players in the team.”

Having won all the qualifying games, Hungarian giants Debreceni have struggled to make an impact in the group stages.

After a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Lyon, Debreceni showed an improvement but still lost 1-0 against Liverpool.

Therefore, they go into Wednesday’s Group E clash in Budapest at the foot of the table.

Despite their poor start to the competition, Poleksic insists his team can rebound.

“After playing two Champions League games, our aim is to get at least a point against Fiorentina,” he said.

“We don’t feel we are the weakest team of the group and considering how we played against Liverpool, we want to play our cards right against Fiorentina.”

Andras Herczeg’s Debreceni have at least been playing well in their domestic competition.

They beat Vasas 4-2 at the weekend to climb to fourth in the standings.

That victory was the fourth in their last five games.

“We are going through a good spell in the league and this is is a crucial time for us in the season,” said Poleksic.

“Our strengths on Tuesday will be our counter-attack and we hope to surprise Fiorentina with set-piece situations.”

The Italians travel to Hungary on the back of a 1-1 draw at Juventus at the weekend.

The result left the Viola fourth in Serie A eight games into the campaign.

Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli was pleased with his team’s display.

“In the last few games, we have given continuity to our performances and that is a good sign,” he said.

“We have to continue to play like this.”

The Viola will be bolstered by the return of striker Alberto Gilardino, who missed the clash against Liverpool through suspension.

Fiorentina fans are still buzzing about Gilardino’s late hat-trick for Italy in their recent come-from-behind victory over Cyprus.

He is set to lead Fiorentina’s attack with Jovetic playing in support.

The visitors will be without midfielder Marco Marchionni, who is sidelined with a muscular injury sustained at the weekend.

Mauro Santana is set to replace Marchionni at the heart of midfield.

Prandelli will be hoping to recover defender Alessandro Gamberini who is doubtful with an ankle problem.