Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Montella has admitted that his side were below their fluent best at Udinese this afternoon, picking out defensive mistakes and wasteful finishing as the reasons for a disappointing defeat.

La Viola lost ground on their rivals for Champions League qualification after losing 1-0 at the Stadio Friuli, thanks to a goal before the break from Thomas Heurtaux.

He told Sky Sport Italia: "We didn't play a good second half after creating chances that we should've taken.

"We were too frenetic and that did not allow us to play our usual style of football. We weren't playing as a team unit and lost the joy of passing the ball around, which is something this side needs.

"There was also a silly error on the goal that we conceded from a set play. He (Mario Gomez) is the kind of player we are lacking and he probably would have scored today."

La Viola remain fifth in Serie A despite the defeat, six points off third place and Serie A's final qualifying spot for the Champions League.