Giacomo Bonaventura praised ‘fantastic’ Vincenzo Italiano for transforming Fiorentina after a 2-1 win away to Genoa. ‘He’s made the difference.’
The Viola have started this season with nine points in the opening four rounds, something they hadn’t achieved since 2015-16.
Riccardo Saponara came off the bench, scoring the opener and then setting up a late Bonaventura strike.
“We played well, it’s not easy to come here, because Genoa are a good team and they clammed up in defence for the first half,” Bonaventura told DAZN.
“Once we broke the deadlock, the spaces started opening up and it became a bit easier.
“We must all feel responsible and I realise that I am among the oldest players here, so I try to help everyone. We’ve got a good mix between youth and experience, so we want to continue like this.”
Italiano has transformed a Viola squad that hasn’t actually changed that much in terms of personnel from last term, but their attitude, approach and shape are totally different.
It’s even more remarkable considering Gennaro Gattuso had been appointed in pre-season and walked away six weeks later because of a row with the club over transfer strategy.
Italiano was very late to take over, poached from Spezia, yet his influence is all over this team.
“I think he’s a fantastic coach, because in two weeks he immediately made us understand his ideas, created a good atmosphere and on a tactical level he really is one of the best.
“What he brought has made the difference at Fiorentina so far. It’s early to set objectives. We weren’t at our standards last season, we need to take it one game at a time and play at 100 per cent.”
9 – #Fiorentina picked up nine points in their first four Serie A seasonal games for the first time since 2015/16 (5th at the end of the season). Harvest.#GenoaFiorentina #SerieA
— OptaPaolo 🏆 (@OptaPaolo) September 18, 2021