Fiorentina striker M’Bala Nzola has said that coach Vincenzo Italiano has been telling him to remain patient and that his ‘moment’ in a Viola shirt will come. After helping his side to a dramatic 4-3 victory over Maccabi Haifa in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday evening, Nzola believes that his ‘moment’ has now come.
Though not particularly lacking in opportunities, Nzola has struggled for form in front of goal since joining Fiorentina in a €12m deal from Spezia in the summer of 2023.
Prior to the Maccabi Haifa game, Nzola had registered four goals from 35 appearances in all competitions, including just two in Serie A. His league tally had stood at 13 from 31 for Spezia by the end of the 2022-23 season.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia after full-time in Budapest, Nzola admitted that he had struggled with criticism at the beginning of his time with Fiorentina, but has since realised that all he can do is continue working.
Reviewing the team’s overall performance on Thursday evening, Nzola said: “It was a game we started well with my goal, we conceded twice, but stayed calm and tried to get it back on track.”
Nzola found the net after two minutes. His effort was follwed by three more goals apiece from both sides, including second half strikes from Fiorentina’s Lucas Beltran, Rolando Mandragora and Antonin Barak.
“I was happy with the goal, but I had a difficult time this season, so I was just working hard and waiting for the moment to show what I could do. At the start, the criticism got to me, but I realised that football is like life, I just have to keep going.
“The coach always talks to me, says I must keep working and my moment will come. Even when I was not playing much, I knew the right time would arrive and today, that day has come.”