Cesare Prandelli has admitted Fiorentina are missing a player like Federico Chiesa, adding he fears Rocco Commisso ‘will get tired.’
La Viola face Genoa at the Artemio Franchi on Monday evening. They have lost all the first three Serie A games of Prandelli’s second spell in Tuscany.
“It’s going to be an important game, we must win and we’ll have to be smart. We’ll need patience,” the Italian tactician said at a press conference on Sunday.
Cesare Prandelli has admitted Fiorentina are missing a player like Federico Chiesa, adding he fears Rocco Commisso ‘will get tired.’
La Viola face Genoa at the Artemio Franchi on Monday evening. They have lost all the first three Serie A games of Prandelli’s second spell in Tuscany.
“It’s going to be an important game, we must win and we’ll have to be smart. We’ll need patience,” the Italian tactician said at a press conference on Sunday.
“It’s going to be a tough game. We have faced fear and I think players have understood how to overcome it, our target is to reach 40 points, the sooner we reach it the better it is. We miss our fans but we must only focus on the victory.”
Prandelli relies on José Maria Callejon and Franck Ribery to step up and make the difference.
“We need intensity and they can be the right players for it,” Prandelli said.
The former Italy CT hinted La Viola miss a player like Federico Chiesa although he never mentioned his name.
“Two months ago there was a player who used to take the ball until the edge of the opponents’ area. He is not here anymore and he is not going to return. We must do the same without him, but we need collaboration and team spirit.”
Fiorentina sit 17th in Serie A and are only two points above the relegation zone.
“If we’re in this situation, it’s not the club’s fault. There was probably too much expectation, and the players who had to make the difference are struggling.
“Everyone at the club is very much present with us, [Rocco] Commisso must be held close.
“My fear is that he will get tired. He has already set up the sports center, he is working for the new stadium. Do we want to make him go away? Are we crazy? If there is to be criticism, it must be done to me and the team, not the club. I take my responsibilities".
Prandelli had caught COVID but has recovered in less than a week.
“I’ve followed every training this week. It was hard at the beginning but I’ve always thought I am a privileged person.”
“He belongs to Fiorentina, he can’t be reproached regarding commitment,” Prandelli said.
“At this moment, on a technical level, I made a different choice, but if a player thinks about the team he can enter and make a difference. I have never excluded anyone, but if a player is not happy to stay at Fiorentina can go away.”