Comuzzo Urges Fiorentina Not to Underestimate Rakow in Conference League

Fiorentina defender Pietro Comuzzo has issued a strong caution to his team, urging them not to underestimate Rakow in their upcoming Conference League clash. He also stressed the importance of remaining fully focused, without letting their Serie A commitments divert their attention.

The match is scheduled to kick off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 20:00 GMT (21:00 CET).

Fiorentina's journey to the Round of 16 was a dramatic one, having narrowly advanced after an extraordinary play-off against Jagiellonia. They secured a 3-0 victory in the first leg away, but then suffered a 3-0 defeat at home, only just managing to progress 5-4 on aggregate after extra time. This challenging period was compounded by a heavy 3-0 Serie A loss to Udinese and a disappointing goalless draw against Parma, which has seen team confidence dip recently.

"We cannot make the mistake of underestimating this match," Comuzzo stated in an interview with Sky Sport Italia. "Rakow are a formidable side, they are unbeaten in the Conference League, so we must approach the game with the correct mindset from the very beginning. It’s crucial to keep a clean sheet today."

The Viola are currently facing several challenges, with Moise Kean, Manor Solomon, Luca Lezzerini, and Tariq Lamptey all sidelined due to injury. Additionally, Marin Pongracic is unavailable in defense due to a ban.

With a crucial Serie A relegation battle against Cremonese on the horizon, squad rotation is a consideration to ensure players are fresh for that decisive encounter. However, Comuzzo reiterated the immediate priority: "We’ve got to be focused. We can start thinking about Serie A and Cremonese from tomorrow; right now, our sole focus is the Conference League."

Reflecting on his own season, which has seen him linked with a move to Napoli, the young defender acknowledged the increased scrutiny. "It’s natural that expectations around me were raised after last season, and that there will be some ups and downs, but I am convinced that through hard work, we can all continue improving."