Moyes sees a Champions League future for his side
The pair meet in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup in Italy tonight but Moyes believes the competition could prove a stepping stone for both clubs.
They occupy similar positions in the Barclays Premier League and Serie A and so are in the hunt to join Europe’s elite next season.
“I would see it (tonight’s tie) more of two sides who in the future are going to be in the Champions League,” said Moyes. “Fiorentina are a very good team and I think there are a lot of similarities to Everton.”
Both have yet to lose a match in Europe this season but Everton have won seven successive UEFA Cup fixtures and will not want that run to end.
“We are not worried,” said England international Joleon Lescott. “We have respect for them as a team but have done our homework and, if we show the same spirit and confidence in our ability as we have done recently, then hopefully we will get a good result.”
That homework may have been centred around the threat former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu would have posed but the Romanian is ruled out of the first leg with a knee injury.
However, Mutu is not the only player Moyes has been focusing on as Christian Vieri has also made a big impression on the Everton manager.
“I remember I came here to watch the Italy national team in training at Coverciano prior to the last European Championships and I was very aware of Vieri then,” he said.
“I watched him training and it remains in my mind. He is a fantastic Italian player.”
Midfielder Mikel Arteta is Everton’s only doubt for tonight’s tie.
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