More reaction from Italy to the UEFA Spurs tie

Former Sampdoria midfielder and Manchester City coach, Fausto Salsano, was asked for his views by Radio Blu after the draw had pitted the Viola, Fiorentina against Tottenham in the Round of 32 in the UEFA Europa League draw.



As a player he won the UEFA Cup Winners Cup in 1989/90 and the Coppa Italia five times, 1984/85, 1987/88, 1988/89, 1990/91 and 1993/94.

In 2002 he was assistant coach at Fiorentina before moving on to Inter as assistant coach in 2004 under Roberto Mancini. The pair then left for Manchester City in 2009 until 2013 when Salsano moved on to Turkish side Galatasaray.

"Tottenham is an important team, it is a difficult environment but Fiorentina has a chance to go through: it might seem difficult but the Viola have all the papers in order. 

"Pochettino is coach, I know him, he is Latin. He will expect the result and it will be a good game with Fiorentina, although Tottenham is collecting less than what they could do given the squad."

Marko Marin is at Fiorentina on loan from Chelsea for the season and the Italians also paid £880,000 to take Micah Richards on loan for the season from Manchester City.

"[Marko]Marin is important as is [Micah] Richards, in perspective can be players on which to focus."

Micah Richards interested Tottenham last summer but a deal didn't materialise, Alan Pardew at Newcastle indicated that Man City were asking too much money for a player who had been out for basically 2 years.

He has not played a great deal of football in Italy thus far but has been employed in the Europa League so barring injury we will in all probability see him at White Hart Lane in February.

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