Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano was delighted with their 1-0 win at Monza.

Lucas Beltran forced the winner after just seven minutes.

“I think Fiorentina are starting to get tired, so today we had to focus on bringing home some important points to go into the break more relaxed," Italiano told DAZN.

“We gave our all to get this win, including a change of system and an extra defender to stop Monza coming back into the game, a move that paid off. We are starting to play with a different level of maturity compared to the start of the season and are going to enjoy this position in the table.

“It is pleasing to be in fourth place and we are proud of what we are doing. It is a long and tough road ahead, we know those other teams in the race will climb back up, but for now we are enjoying being in fourth place, top of our Conference League group and into the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.

“We are on track with our plans for this season, perhaps a little ahead of schedule actually."