Vincenzo Italiano admits he knew FC Basel were a team who ‘never give up’ in the Conference League, so Fiorentina must do the same in the second leg after this 2-1 semi-final defeat.
The Viola had taken the lead with Arthur Cabral’s header from close range against his old club and had numerous chances to make it stick, but instead conceded to an Andy Diouf counter-attack and last-gasp Zeki Amdouni goal from a free kick routine.
“This defeat makes me angry, because it won’t be easy to unlock their deep defence, especially now that they have a lead to defend,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.
“Basel are a team who never give up, if you don’t score three or four against them, they always believe that they can come back and we saw them do it before in the Conference League this season.”
Although the Swiss side are struggling domestically, they have taken some big scalps in Europe and often came back from very negative situations, including the quarter-final with OCG Nice that went to extra time.
“We need a Fiorentina that goes there and unlocks their deep defence, we must be more effective in front of goal. We had several chances today after our opening goal and didn’t take them.
“I always say it’s never over in Europe until the final whistle. Basel won the first half of this tie, we can turn it around in the second.”
Fiorentina have largely earned stronger results on their travels in Europe this season than at home, so are hoping to do the same in Switzerland next Thursday evening, especially because the away goals rule no longer applies.
That means any Viola win by a one-goal margin would be enough to prompt extra time.
“Their equaliser was a quick move playing out from the back and running at our defence. I think our overall performance was good, they made the most of two distractions, we must break them down and be more attentive to stop their counter-attacks.”