Paolo Vanoli shared his reasoning behind Fiorentina’s highly offensive lineup for their Conference League quarter-final clash against Crystal Palace. He emphasized the team’s belief and the necessity of having goal-scoring players on the field. The match is set to begin at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 20:00 UK time (21:00 CEST).
A moment of silence will be observed before the game to honor the memory of Alex Manninger, Fiorentina’s goalkeeper from the 2001-02 season, who recently passed away. Vanoli expressed his sorrow, calling Manninger an exceptional individual and sharing his condolences with the family.
Fiorentina faces a significant challenge to advance to their fourth consecutive Conference League semi-final, having suffered a 3-0 defeat in the first leg at Selhurst Park. Vanoli stressed the importance of belief for both the players and the fans, who have consistently supported the team. He acknowledged the strength of their opponent but highlighted Fiorentina’s recent positive results in Serie A. The coach also expressed his frustration over not having a full squad available for this crucial tie.
The team is contending with several absences due to injury, including Moise Kean, Marco Brescianini, Fabiano Parisi, Tariq Lamptey, and Niccolò Fortini. Dodo is also suspended for the right-back position. The formation is decidedly attacking, featuring four strikers alongside creative midfielders Nicolò Fagioli and Rolando Mandragora. The exact starter at makeshift right-back, whether Marin Pongracic or Pietro Comuzzo, remains undecided.
Vanoli reiterated that achieving something extraordinary requires a strong mentality and unwavering belief, with players needing to deliver their season-best performances. He recognized the difficulty of the task, noting Crystal Palace’s ability to capitalize on errors, but stressed the team’s ambition to create a memorable moment in Fiorentina’s history, especially given the complicated nature of their season.
Fiorentina’s primary objective for the season was to secure their place in Serie A, a goal they are close to achieving after establishing an eight-point buffer above the relegation zone. This position was solidified by their recent 1-0 victory over Lazio, which has somewhat eased the pressure on the team.
The coach explained that when selecting the lineup, he prioritized players capable of scoring goals to overcome the deficit. He also pointed to Robin Gosens as a threat, particularly from set pieces and runs to the far post, suggesting that every element could prove crucial in the match.
