Cesare Prandelli saw ‘improvements’ at Fiorentina after their draw with Hellas Verona, but blames excessive expectations for their current anxiety.
This was the second consecutive 1-1 stalemate, again decided by a Dusan Vlahovic penalty, but they have scraped only four draws in the last eight Serie A rounds.
“There has been a good performance over the last two games and the lack of a victory must not influence our mood,” the coach told Sky Sport Italia.
Cesare Prandelli saw ‘improvements’ at Fiorentina after their draw with Hellas Verona, but blames excessive expectations for their current anxiety.
This was the second consecutive 1-1 stalemate, again decided by a Dusan Vlahovic penalty, but they have scraped only four draws in the last eight Serie A rounds.
“There has been a good performance over the last two games and the lack of a victory must not influence our mood,” the coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“We have to improve in attack, because we don’t get enough players into the penalty area. We have to accompany the forwards more with runs from midfield, because the more we push, the better the chance we’ll score.
“I saw particular improvements in defence, because a couple of weeks ago we’d have been hammered, yet today we stayed in the game and allowed a very aggressive Verona side hardly any chances.”
Prandelli is in his second spell at the Stadio Franchi, taking over from sacked Beppe Iachini on November 9.
“I feel a great sense of responsibility here, more than compared with other clubs. I live this experience with intensity and emotion, because I know what it means to be at Fiorentina and how much this means to the fans.
“I thank them for coming to cheer us on at the team hotel this morning, because Fiorentina is one of the few clubs where the fans can make a genuine difference to results.”
Prandelli was asked about the palpable sense of anxiety that still permeates the Fiorentina squad in every game.
“If you are in a comfortable position in the table, you are calmer and can take a few more risks. At this moment, we are constantly feeling this sense of danger, so right now personality is more important than quality. We hope to bring more in.
“The thing that caused problems for Fiorentina was that everyone expected them to do great things, but either the predictions were wrong or some players are not living up to those expectations.
“What we have to do now is put all those expectations out of our minds and focus on where we are, the situation we are in and nothing else outside of that.”