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Fiorentina Are Not Champions League Material - Gamberini

As the Viola prepare to take on Ajax in the UEFA Cup, one of their defenders admits the team is not ready for the Champions League quite yet...

Feb 18, 2009 4:20:18 PM

Alessandro Gamberini & Cesare Prandelli - Fiorentina (Grazia Neri)

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Alessandro Gamberini & Cesare Prandelli - Fiorentina (Grazia Neri)

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Fiorentina

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Alessandro Gamberini

Fiorentina had a difficult time in the Champions League this season, seemingly naive in matches against Bayern Munich and Lyon, causing them to come third in their group and be dropped down into the UEFA Cup.

Alessandro Gamberini, defender for both the Viola and the Italian national team, admits that his side were not prepared for Europe's premier competition.

"We realized the level of the Champions League, and saw that we really were lacking in some areas. However, in the UEFA Cup, I believe we can go very far," he told firenzeviola.it.

Nonetheless, Gamberini was wary of their next opponents: Ajax, noting that a particular thorn in their side could be striker Luis Suarez.

"He is an individual who can lift his team's play. However, when they attack, they do so with many men, so if we close the spaces, we can exploit them easily [on the counter]," explained the ex-Bologna stalwart.

Fiorentina host Ajax on Thursday, February 19 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Adam Scime, Goal.com

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