'No magic wand,' says Bianchi

Ottavio Bianchi, AC Fiorentina's newly appointed coach, has spoken for the first time about the size of the task involved in turning round the fortunes of his struggling side.

Mancini resigned
"Fiorentina need the help of everyone but I don't have a magic wand," said Bianchi, who has not coached a Serie A team for six years. He has replaced Roberto Mancini who resigned last week.

No time to lose
With no guarantee that new players will arrive before the transfer window closes at the end of this month, the club's continuing financial problems and an injury list which now includes Portuguese striker Nuno Gomes, the former Internazionale FC and SSC Napoli coach is well aware that he has his work cut out if the Viola are to avoid relegation. "We don't have time to lose," he said. "We don't have time for inquiries. We need to get down to work."

Strikers out
Despite gaining a hard-earned draw on Sunday against AC Chievo Verona, Fiorentina's troubles increased with an injury to Nuno Gomes, who will be out for a month with ankle ligament damage. Bianchi is already without the Italian international Enrico Chiesa and Predrag Mijatovic, although the club's new loan signing Adriano, who arrived at the weekend from Inter and scored on his debut, has given some cause for hope.

Adriano confident
"Together we can get out of this," said Adriano. "I looked at the faces of my team-mates on Sunday and I know that we can save ourselves. This squad can rise above adversity." Bianchi, who steered Napoli to the title in 1987 in a side inspired by Diego Maradona, will hope the Brazilian is right.