The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen has said he expects Fiorentina to arrive at White Hart Lane on Thursday night with the sole intention of beating the hosts.
Spurs take on the Serie A side in the Europa League last-32 and are hoping that they can replicate their recent league form against Vincenzo Montella's men.
Vertonghen knows all too well the challenge facing Spurs. He was part of the Ajax team that beat Fiorentina in the then UEFA Cup in 2009.
"Fiorentina have world-class players, it will be a tight tie and quality-wise we are close to each other," he said. "I've played against them before and they haven't changed - of course, the players have but they are always competing to be in the Champions League.
“For us, we’re still where we want to be. It’s a shame we’re out of the FA Cup but we have a final to come in the Capital One Cup, we’re still competing in the Premier League and we’ve got two good games to come against Fiorentina, so we’re in a good way.”
