Vincenzo Italiano praises Jose Mourinho and hopes Roma win the Conference League, but wants Fiorentina fans to keep the pride and enthusiasm going.
It kicks off on Monday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
This fixture is being played later because Roma are fresh from Thursday’s Europa Conference League victory over Leicester City on Thursday evening and will face Feyenoord in the Final on May 25.
“Mourinho is a winner. What he’s achieved in his career is extraordinary and he continues to impress at clubs where it is not easy to achieve success, taking Roma to a Final,” said Italiano in his press conference.
“I thanked Mourinho for his compliments after the game earlier this season and wish him success in the Conference League Final.
“The fact we are only three points behind Roma is something for us to be proud of. Their defensive solidity is particularly remarkable and we will try to give them problems, at the same time limiting the quality of Nicolò Zaniolo and Lorenzo Pellegrini.”
Italiano was particularly impressed by the atmosphere the Giallorossi supporters created at the Stadio Olimpico against Leicester City and wants to see it replicated in Florence.
“There are three games to go and we are still up there, despite the setbacks. The Stadio Franchi crowd is capable of pushing the team forward and raising our level against these big clubs.”
The fans haven’t been entirely supportive, as full-back Lorenzo Venuti received insults via social media.
“We’re having in general a negative period in terms of results and performance, but we are all together. It’s disgusting what happens on social media, the real fans are the ones who showed support in difficult times.”
Former Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic is also struggling since his transfer to Juventus and looked very irritable on the bench during last night’s defeat to Genoa.
“I think he’s just sad because he wanted to be Capocannoniere this season. A striker lives for goals and is sad when he doesn’t get them, that’s all.”
.@acffiorentina, le parole di #Italiano in conferenza in vista della gara contro la @OfficialASRoma https://t.co/HpJp1SKWjV
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) May 7, 2022