Paolo Vanoli has urged his Fiorentina players to play with uninhibited freedom when Crystal Palace visit the Stadio Franchi on Thursday evening. Fiorentina faces a significant challenge, needing a 3-0 victory to overcome their first-leg deficit and advance to the Conference League semi-finals.
Vanoli acknowledged the difficulty of the task but emphasized that sometimes, belief and desire can overcome technical limitations. “We will play with a free head, knowing that we will need something special,” he stated. “Sometimes what matters is not so much technical quality but desire, doing something that goes beyond what is expected, with courage and freedom. We have to risk, try and dream.”
He also reflected on the team’s initial focus this season. “When we had four points, we were talking primarily about the league; that was the priority,” Vanoli admitted. “Then the story dictates that the Conference League must be an objective for this club.” He added that facing strong Premier League opponents like Crystal Palace offers valuable learning experiences: “Strong teams make you grow. When you don’t win, you learn.”
Regarding his own future, Vanoli was pragmatic. “I don’t want my future to be conditioned by one Conference League match,” he said. “I’m not a genius if we go through and I’m not a mediocre coach if we go out. I keep believing, despite the difficulties.” He also made a pointed observation about Italian football’s attitude towards courage, noting, “In Italy, people say they want courage but then criticise it when they see it.”
In terms of team news, Dodô is suspended for the match. Pongracic is being assessed for a hamstring issue, while Rugani is available after an impressive performance against Lazio. Vanoli confirmed that Kean is being monitored daily as the club works to get him fit.
Fiorentina vs Crystal Palace: Vanoli Encourages Belief in Conference League Comeback
Paolo Vanoli has called on his Fiorentina players to cast aside inhibition and play with complete freedom when Crystal Palace visit the Stadio Franchi on Thursday evening. The Viola require a 3-0 victory to overturn their first-leg deficit and reach the Conference League semi-finals, a significant but not insurmountable challenge.
Vanoli, who has overseen a remarkable survival story in Serie A this season, understands that belief can be as powerful as technical skill. “We will play with a free head, knowing that we will need something special,” he stated. “Sometimes what matters is not so much technical quality but desire, doing something that goes beyond what is expected, with courage and freedom. We have to risk, try and dream.”
He candidly admitted that the Conference League was not the initial priority. “When we had four points, we were talking primarily about the league; that was the priority,” Vanoli said. “Then the story dictates that the Conference League must be an objective for this club.” He also highlighted the educational value of facing top-tier opposition: “Strong teams make you grow. When you don’t win, you learn.”
On his personal future, Vanoli expressed a desire to continue but refused to let one game define his tenure. “I don’t want my future to be conditioned by one Conference League match,” he asserted. “I’m not a genius if we go through and I’m not a mediocre coach if we go out. I keep believing, despite the difficulties.” He also commented on the paradoxical attitude towards courage in Italian football: “In Italy, people say they want courage but then criticise it when they see it.”
Team news sees Dodô unavailable due to suspension. Pongracic is being evaluated for a hamstring concern, while Rugani is available. Kean is being monitored day by day as the club aims for his fitness.
