Fiorentina, Palladino: "Riera's words are a stimulus. Gosens ok, we will not underestimate Celje"

Florence, 16 April 2025 - Here we are, the Franchi is coming CeljeThe challenge is scheduled for Conference League quarter-final second leg. We start again from 2-1 for the Fiorentina matured in Slovenia, will be played at 18.45 at the “Franchi”. These are the considerations of mister Raphael Palladino on the eve.

How is the team? Will Parisi and Gosens be called up?

"The team is doing well, they worked well with concentration and intensity. Except for the suspended players and those not listed, we only have Colpani out who will return to the group next week. Gosens and Parisi have been called up."

 

Looking at the way the championship is going, is Europe more reachable through Serie A or the Conference?

"We are thinking game by game to always be competitive. We don't want to neglect any competition. We are there, everything is open: we are many in a few points, our mentality must be ambitious in any competition we play. Tomorrow we will face a team that wants to get through the round, we will have to be very focused from all points of view".

What did the Parma race leave you with?

"Every match leaves us with a lesson, we have prepared a slightly different game plan for tomorrow's match. We will have to go on the pitch full of energy. The matches ahead of us are all finals. The indications that came from challenge with Parma they made us grow: we played a balanced match, where whoever scored first would win. We accept the criticism but in the last matches we had continuity of play and performances".

Why all these problems with the little ones?

"At home we often face teams that play very low: it's not easy to play against teams like that. You have to be more patient and play better technically. Parma played a game of waiting and covering. However, we need certain games for our future growth and I'm sure Cagliari will give us proof. Kean is fine, as is Gud: let's see who to play. Two of Kean, Gud and Beltran will play".

What do you think of Commisso's words about you?

"Yesterday there was a beautiful evening with the President and his wife. Being with Rocco is always nice, he is a person who loves me, I feel that he wants the best for Fiorentina and for this whole environment. I thank him for the support he has always given me. Obviously I am encouraged by these words to take the team to the top: I love him, his wife and the club. It is not easy to find people like that in football. They are simple people but with big hearts".

 

What do you think of Citterio's words after the match against Parma? Do you agree?

"I want to clarify this matter: first of all Pongracic was taken off because he wasn't 100% having had a fever during the week. I saw him tired towards the end and I chose to bring on Comuzzo. However, there was basically the idea of ​​putting on another striker, either Zaniolo or others. The inertia of the match was this but we played this slot like this".

What do you think of what Riera said on Thursday, that is, that they warned Fiorentina to prepare at their best for tomorrow's match?

"Yes, of course, I heard his words. I love to talk about facts, we leave the chitchat to others. His words were certainly a stimulus for us." Is there an emergency on the side lanes?

"We have three-fifths who can stay there: on the left there are Gosens, Parisi and Folorunsho." Beans moment.

"I've spoken a lot with Nicolò these days: he's fine, he said what he had to say on social media. He was very honest and sincere. I can only say that, as I always will, I will always give support and love to my players. I will always defend him." He often changes defenders during the game. Why?

"I have to make choices, I'm paid for that. With the five substitutions I can change half the team to give liveliness to those on the pitch. Then there are choices linked to what happens during the week. We have a lot of defenders and I have to, with the many games, give minutes to the others too. Albert is having a great championship, he's finding consistency and he's doing a great job for the team. He's an important player for us and I'm trying to preserve him for the following games".

Were you surprised by Celje's attitude in the first leg?

"No, I was sure we would face a team that plays good football and is well trained. Tomorrow we won't underestimate anything, we'll do as we did in the first leg: we've prepared two or three game plans."

Did Zaniolo suffer from the change of formation?

"The change of system didn't help him, it's true. He was brought in to play a different role: he was born as a half-winger, second striker and winger. However, he made himself available to the group and when he played he did well. He will soon demonstrate his value". Alessandro Latini