Raffaele Palladino admits Fiorentina’s terrible start to the Conference League play-off with Puskas Akademia was ‘inexplicable’ and he asks the club for reinforcements suited to his ‘style of football.’
It had been a disastrous start at the Stadio Franchi, trailing 2-0 after just 12 minutes following defensive errors, then they clawed their way back to lead 3-2 through Riccardo Sottil, Lucas Martinez Quarta and Moise Kean strikes.
However, with Martinez Quarta off the field suffering from cramp and all the substitutions completed, Wojciech Golla was allowed a free header on a corner to seal the final 3-3 result with Puskas Akademia.
The second and decisive leg will be played in Hungary next Thursday and, with away goals no longer counting for double, it effectively is a clean slate.
“It was a bad start, that goes without saying, and it was honestly inexplicable. We made errors I don’t even see in training sessions, they were big mistakes to go 2-0 down,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia.
“Then we did well to stay in the game, open it up with Riccardo before the break and I liked the attitude of the second half, we had a very different approach, hunger and turned it around. The regret is conceding a goal on a set play when a player was off the field injured, but we still shouldn’t have conceded it.
“There is a lot that needs improvement, we still don’t have a clear identity and are fragile. This is the situation, we need to analyse everything and recognise we need to start with the right attitude.”
Palladino still forging his Fiorentina side
This was only Fiorentina’s second game of the season after the 1-1 Serie A draw with Parma, so fitness levels and tactical preparation are behind schedule.
“Obviously, we have a team that is a work in progress, many players have been arriving at different times in pre-season, so we haven’t had much time to work all together. Puskas are at a more advanced stage of their preparation this season, but it must not be an alibi, instead motivation to do better,” noted Palladino.
“I need the players and club to give us all a hand, but we knew it was going to be difficult making this many changes and it will take time.”
Kean was a striker who Palladino specifically wanted to bring in from Juventus and he scored today off the bench, his first competitive goal since April 2023.
“Moise and Dodo gave a real push to the team when they came on, but I saw the entire attitude change from the team in the second half. I didn’t see that kind of hunger and determination in the first half, nor did I see it from everyone, so I need to analyse and discuss the situation.”
It was put to Palladino that so far this does not look like one of his teams, the kind of football seen at Monza, but he has transformed their tactics from the Vincenzo Italiano era.
“We need the suitable characteristics for my style of football, and the club knows what to look for, we are in sync and are well aware that new signings are needed where we are lacking. We are missing something in defence and on the wings.
“I also want to see the team spirit and solidity from the squad, but at the moment we’re kind of straddling two different territories and that’s no good. We need to find that unity and I realise it can’t be found straight away. I had hoped to win on my European debut, it’s a pity we conceded that goal at the end so cheaply.
“Nonetheless, I am confident by August 30 we will have a complete squad,” concluded Palladino.