Watford na town wey dey di border between North London and Hertfordshire, along river Colne. Na here Fiorentina go face di town football club wey dem dey call Hornets tomorrow at 20:30 CEST. Dis one go be di first time di two clubs go ever meet for match.
Alessio Dionisi na di coach wey dey handle di English side. Dis year na im first time go abroad to coach. Dem appoint am dis summer to bring stability and clear identity to club wey don suffer for difficult season, where dem finish 16th for Championship.
Former Viola midfielder Edoardo Bove currently dey play for Watford. Dis player dey fondly remembered by Italian club. Dionisi don also bring another figure wey well known to Fiorentina fanbase: Luca Vigiani wey make im Serie A debut for Fiorentina back for 1995.
For tactics, Dionisi traditionally prefer back four. But im don experiment with 3-5-2 formation for two of di team’s early pre-season outings – 2-1 loss to Boreham Wood and 2-2 draw with Barnet – before revert to 4-3-3 for di side’s 3-0 victory over Rostock. Regardless of formation, im philosophy remain di same: dynamic, proactive football with rapid forward passes to exploit runs by wide players, focus on spatial awareness, and high press to win back possession immediately.
Watford wey dem found for 1881 as Watford Rovers and based at historic Vicarage Road stadium since 1922. Di club consider its true, historic rival to be Luton Town from neighbouring Bedfordshire, not any London team, even though im dey fall inside di capital’s wider metropolitan area.
Di Hornets enjoy their golden era for di 1980s under chairmanship of Sir Elton John and management of Graham Taylor. Dis peak with second-place league finish for di 1982/83 season – even more impressive considering di team just don promote to English top flight – and FA Cup final appearance for 1984.
For June 2012, di club come under ownership of Pozzo family wey also own Udinese. Watford recently enjoy five-year stint for Premier League, culminating in appearance for 2019 FA Cup final where dem beat 6-0 by Manchester City.
