Cesare Prandelli warns Fiorentina have to accept ‘the truth of the situation’ – they are fighting to avoid relegation, starting with Sassuolo tomorrow.
It kicks off on Wednesday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
The Viola have not improved at all since Prandelli took over from sacked Beppe Iachini and the 3-0 defeat to Atalanta prompted the squad to go into a training retreat.
Cesare Prandelli warns Fiorentina have to accept ‘the truth of the situation’ – they are fighting to avoid relegation, starting with Sassuolo tomorrow.
It kicks off on Wednesday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
The Viola have not improved at all since Prandelli took over from sacked Beppe Iachini and the 3-0 defeat to Atalanta prompted the squad to go into a training retreat.
“The club proposed a retreat and everyone agreed with the idea, myself included,” said Prandelli in his press conference.
“The situation is complicated and everyone showed a great sense of responsibility. A few extra opportunities to exchange ideas can be useful at the moment.
“This is the truth of the situation, we mustn’t be ashamed to fight much more than we expected. Defending ourselves is a wise and correct thing to do.
“What I’d like to see is a team that understands the delicate situation we are in. Let us be responsible, we’re not going to turn it around from one day to the next. I am sure tomorrow we’ll see a different Fiorentina to the one we’ve seen recently.
“There are difficulties, there’s no point denying that, but it’s in these moments that you can tell who the real men are. We must accept and adapt to this new reality.
“There have been relegations of teams even with great champions in the squad, so we have to accept this is where we are. If we try to seek someone to blame, we risk losing control of the situation entirely.”
Prandelli was asked if he was afraid of Fiorentina’s current predicament.
“If the fear is healthy, then no. If the fear brings us to be timid or passive, then yes, I’m afraid. We have to think as a team, not have hysterical reactions.
“There are leaders in this team, but we need everyone to acknowledge the situation.”