Fiorentina, Conference joy, Palladino: "We needed a night like this. Thanks to the fans and team"

Florence, 13 March 2025 - Fiorentina finally enjoys a victorious night, overturns Panathinaikos and gives itself the quarter-finals of the Conference League, where it will clash with the Slovenians of Celje in the double match of April (away first leg on 10 April and return at home on 17). This is the analysis of mister Raphael Palladino, smiling despite the heavy rain during the match. "A very beautiful night for us. I don't know if it will be the turning point but we needed it. I want to thank the fans because they were fantastic and I want to thank the boys because they gave everything and put in a great performance. They deserved a night like this. Fiorentina must continue to grow and put in performances like this, we are happy". In the second half you dropped off: what was the problem given that it's been a frequent thing lately? "After tonight I think I understand what the problem is. We can't have continuity of play for ninety minutes. I have to insist with the boys because they have the quality to play the whole game and they are good. We had the ball in the first half, then in the second half we didn't give continuity. But we have to insist and work". Will we see Gudmundsson in this position often? Tonight he was key in the exits... "Yes, because Albert needs this and we need him. He has to feel the position on the pitch. We then have to be good at finding him. The midfielders also completed a midfield department in which they rotated. I really liked the team today. Both in possession and without the ball. We took them high to keep them away from our penalty area and for long stretches the tactic worked". He gave continuity to Kean, how do you think he can do it with the whole team? How did Kean and Gudmundsson find each other? "I don't sleep at night to fix this thing. I want to help the boys because they have the qualities to do it. We have to find continuity in the ninety minutes. There are also moments in which we can drop and suffer. But I like the team to continue playing. Gud and Kean looked for each other and also defended together and as a unit. The entries of Zaniolo and Beltran were also excellent".