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Fiorentina coach Pioli spoke at a press conference on the eve of the second match of the Conference League group stage tomorrow evening against Rapid Vienna.

Stefano Pioli met with the press ahead of the challenge against Rapid Vienna, here are his responses to the questions from the journalists present.

Is the Conference League an opportunity to change the trend of the league as well?

The league is a different story, the Conference is another tournament, we need to earn points. Then from Sunday, there will be other matches…

What aspect are you finding most challenging?

In the last few matches, we have played on par with teams of excellent level, we need to play more as a team at certain moments. We need to support each other more. What is said outside of our group is good for us, it brings us closer together.

Was there a meeting with some player representatives?

To deny it means it didn’t happen… If a player talks to the coach, is it possible for him to reject it? It’s falsehoods. We are united. But what do we need and want? Results and we are working to give satisfaction to the fans and the club.

Have you seen signs of improvement in the last few games: what are they?

I believe that compared to the first games, we have been more attentive, more compact: we need to attack more, be more dangerous, we need to fill the opponent’s area.

You have a rather complicated group: do you agree?

We want to go all the way, but it is clear that we have a tough group, we have taken the best from each tier…

What’s going on with Gudmundsson?

I have a lot of confidence in this player, I see him better: he is a player who will give us a big hand, I’m sure of it.

The Florentine environment is in turmoil… do you hear the criticism against you?

The moment is particular, the criticisms against me do not take away my serenity, my clarity in work, I always put more dedication. I believe it is correct to judge only the performances and not what may be around. Every time we lose, it is said that the locker room is divided but we need to work, focus and I believe in my players.

There will be several close games, are you thinking of some rotations?

Tomorrow I will make more changes than usual, we have three very close commitments. But I am convinced that whoever takes the field is ready to play a good game.

Has anything changed with Sohm after a period where he didn’t convince?

Sohm is doing better, he has regained good condition: I think he will play tomorrow, I don’t know if from the start or as a substitute.

Goalkeeper choice: De Gea or Martinelli tomorrow?

De Gea will play tomorrow, as I think Comuzzo could play. Fagioli did well in Milan.

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Chelsea, Enzo Maresca sees Estevão as a future number 10, comparing him to Cole Palmer for his growth and adaptation.

A Rising New Talent at Chelsea

Enzo Maresca recently expressed his excitement for Estevão after Chelsea’s 5-1 victory over Ajax, highlighting his potential to become a quality number 10. According to Maresca, Estevão has shown great desire to learn and grow, essential characteristics to emerge in modern football.

Maresca made an interesting parallel between Estevão and Cole Palmer, emphasizing how Palmer also started his career playing in a more external position at Manchester City, before evolving into a more central role by using his physicality. This growth path could be replicated by Estevão, offering Leicester a new talent option in the attacking midfield.

Estevão’s Growth Path

Under the expert guidance of Maresca, Estevão has the opportunity to develop his skills and refine his game to adapt to the demands of the number 10 role. The young player is determined to work hard to build a successful career, and with the support of his coach, the future looks promising.

Maresca’s confidence in the young Brazilian is a clear sign of Chelsea’s strategy to invest in young talents, a move that could prove successful in the long run. With time and proper training, Estevão could become one of the club’s stars, following in the footsteps of established players like Cole Palmer.

For more transfer news, click here.

Source: X by Fabrizio Romano

💙👀 Enzo Maresca on Estevão playing as number 🔟 in future: “He wants to learn, he needs time… but in my view, he’s similar to Cole Palmer”.

“Cole started wide at Man City then built some physicality. In future, Estevão can do the same and become a number 10”.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) Oct 23, 2025

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Juventus avoids a shampoo thanks to Gatti and Di Gregorio. Real Madrid only needs a tap-in from Bellingham to achieve their third consecutive victory in the Champions League.

All things considered, it could have been much worse. Given the circumstances (a huge difference in technical value between the two teams and diametrically opposed form), a much larger deficit was expected between Real Madrid and Juventus.

Real Madrid-Juventus 1-0, match recap

The deficit, if it had actually occurred, would not have been scandalous. The team of Xabi Alonso had the chances to inflict a tennis score on the team of Tudor, but the inaccuracy of the Blancos and the outstanding performance of the Di Gregorio-Gatti duo saved Madama from a defeat to be remembered for generations.

Some might even give a partially positive evaluation of the performance of the team. This would be paradoxical from a statistical point of view. Real registered an xG of 2.81 against the mere 0.59 of the Bianconeri, they had 28 shots on goal (compared to Juventus’ 13 attempts) with 10 on target (compared to 4). The almost satisfied reactions at the final whistle for the minimal deficit exemplify the moment the Juventus team is going through.

Leaving the Santiago Bernabeu with only one goal against, especially after holding their ground quite well for the first sixty minutes, is almost a victory given their recent performances. At the time of the opening goal by Bellingham (59′, tap-in from close range after Vinicius hit the base of the post with a stunning solo run through three Juventus defenders), the xG of the hosts already stood at 1.42 and the attempts on target were already at 20.

Despite the indisputable territorial superiority of the Madrid team and the feeling that sooner or later the Spaniards would find a way to break the deadlock, Juventus (within their limitations) was not even disgracing themselves. A great chance for each team: in the first half (40′), a sensational Di Gregorio managed to close the goal to Mbappe, brilliantly set up for a shot by former Milan player Brahim Diaz. In the second half, Juventus responded with a vertical pass from Kelly (ball recovered in their own penalty area after a simple error in clearance by the Spaniards) to Vlahovic.

The Spanish defense was in disarray, the Serbian striker (starting from his own half) easily beat a subpar MilitaoCourtois pushed the coast-to-coast effort from the Belgrade native over the crossbar. The away team started well in the first half and held their own until the sixtieth minute, but crumbled immediately after the home team scored. Only a superb Di Gregorio (double fantastic save, first on a clear attempt by Mbappe and then on the rebound that fell to Brahim) and a stoic Gatti (two goal-line clearances from corner kicks, the first on Valverde and the second on Brahim Diaz) kept Juventus in the game.

Juventus deserves some credit (relatively speaking) for staying in the game until the end, even attempting a third consecutive comeback after those against Borussia Dortmund and Villareal. Real Madrid’s fault lies in not finishing the game, allowing their opponents to raise their heads in the final minutes and even scare the Belgian dragon. In the fifth and final minute of stoppage time, with a 4 vs 2 counterattack following a corner kick in favor of Juventus, Xabi Alonso’s team had a chance to increase their lead slightly to reflect the actual flow of the game, but Valverde (exhausted from another sacrificial performance) made a mistake both in the choice and execution of the pass.

Losing in Madrid was almost expected, but being able to believe that they did it “with their heads held high” was the only placebo after the embarrassment in Como. Certainly, if the benchmark is the Sinigaglia match (still a very low bar), then Juventus certainly did not do worse. However, they must now regroup in Rome against Lazio in the late Sunday game to avoid fueling further doubts. Faced with another negative result against a team in a mystical crisis like the Biancocelesti, hiding behind excuses (schedule, injuries, etc.) would be even more difficult.