Vincenzo Italiano admits the usual routine of Fiorentina playing well, wasting chances and then losing is ‘starting to irritate us’ after the slender defeat to Juventus.
This was a game decided by the slimmest of margins, because only goal-line technology realised that Adrien Rabiot’s header had crossed the line before Pietro Terracciano could make the save.
Dusan Vlahovic had a goal disallowed for a chunk of his head being offside, while Luca Ranieri was also just over when interfering with play on what would’ve been the Gaetano Castrovilli equaliser.
Nonetheless, once again the usual problems were there for the Viola, namely poor finishing and giving the ball away cheaply in dangerous areas.
“These are the problems that do not allow us to pick up points. I don’t want to be repetitive, but we need to be more focused, concentrated and ready when the ball arrives in the final third,” a visibly demoralised coach told DAZN.
“It is unthinkable to come here and not allow Juve any chances, they will always put you under pressure, but you must do more with the ball. We allowed them two or three counter-attacks when we had the ball and that is a problem we need to resolve as well.
“The team was always in the game and caused Juve problems, with all their great champions. It’s a pity, as this is another performance without points and it is starting to irritate us.
“We had four or five chances before their goal, really clear ones where we got the final ball wrong, and then weren’t determined enough in holding on to the ball on their counter-attacks. We are drawing and losing games that we should be winning, and that should not happen.”
Despite Fiorentina’s on-going problems in finding the net, Italiano still decided to start Jonathan Ikone as a False 9, flanked by Nico Gonzalez and Jonathan Ikone, leaving both centre-forwards Luka Jovic and Arthur Cabral on the bench.
“Our approach was correct, as Juve sit back and wait to counter, so Kouame can give us pace and dynamism. That was the general idea, with Ikone and Gonzalez quick too, so we’d make Juve run. Kouame sacrifices himself and gives his heart and soul on the pitch.”
Fiorentina will face Sporting Braga in the Europa Conference League play-offs on Thursday February 16 in Portugal, with the second leg at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 23.
“It is an objective we must try to honour in the best way. Our opponents are not easy, but we have solid foundations and if we can improve on those aspects where we are lacking, I believe we can get through to the next round.”
Looking even further forward, the Viola will also play Cremonese in a two-legged Coppa Italia semi-final, starting on April 5.