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Fiorentina: Pioli Press Conference

Tomorrow will be another European night for Fiorentina, tasked with finishing the job started last week against Polissya. Riding high on the 3-0 victory from the first leg, Stefano Pioli’s team is gearing up to face the return leg at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia. This is where the coach held a press conference to discuss the upcoming European challenge.

Head Coach of AC Milan Stefano Pioli during italian soccer Serie A season 2019/20 of AC Milan – Photo credit Fabrizio Carabelli /LM

How is Dzeko doing and what are you asking of him?
“Edin is doing well, he had some minor issues but now he is ready to play. He is more of a playmaker striker than a depth striker, but he has the intelligence to do both. Teams are built by fielding different characteristics.”

Considering the result of the first leg, will you think about rotation or stick with what has been seen so far?
“I will make some changes. The choices for Cagliari were heading towards continuity, but tomorrow will be the third away game in a week. I am convinced that we have an excellent team, not just the starting eleven but all 22-23 players. I will make some changes but the attitude and quality will not change, we will be balanced and prepared to face the match well.”

What does Piccoli add to the [Fiorentina] attacking department?
“An important addition, he gives us more offensive solutions in terms of depth and ball management. He has technical and physical ability, can integrate well, and I am happy that he has arrived also because he has presented himself well. We want players who arrive convinced they have made the right choice, he arrived at the right time and with the right attitude. I am happy with his signing and the significant investment made by the club.”

Have you chosen between De Gea and Martinelli for tomorrow? Do you expect more from the transfer market?
“I don’t like to talk about the match, there is still a round to play. I will decide tomorrow whether to play De Gea or Martinelli. Regarding the market, I only say that there are a few days left, we’ll see. I have been clear with the club, if we can improve and add players with the right characteristics, good, otherwise we will stay as we are.”

What do you think of Fagioli?
“For me, he is a playmaker, dynamic and continuous. For me, he has the best characteristics to play this game, then it also depends on the formation. Let’s see his completion and our performances, for now, we have completed the attacking department in which we have 5 players. I am fortunate to have Gud and Fazzini who can play as second striker, trequartista, but also midfielder, there are many things we need to look for within the game. Fagioli knows how to play the ball and play vertically, he can also play higher but at the moment I see him as a game builder.”

What are you working on in these weeks?
“There are many situations and balances in the game that we need to seek. It is good to play a lot during this period, of course, training is necessary but then it’s the matches that show at what level we are in individual situations. I am waiting attentively for developments. On Thursday we played with higher quality, on Sunday the technical level and lucidity were lower and we had difficulty creating offensive situations. I am focusing on the team’s balance, then later on we will also work on details to raise the level.”

Will Fortini stay at Fiorentina? What is his role?
“He came with an injury to recover from, now he is in a position to play. He is interesting, has quality and good speed, can play on both the right and left. He can stay with us to continue growing.”

Do you expect any changes from Polissya? How does it change for a coach to prepare matches against lesser-known teams?
“Their coach is excellent, in the first leg, we were good at surprising them. I told the boys that in the return leg, we have an advantage because we know each other better, but we must be ready because they will change something to upset the balance. We must be especially attentive at the beginning. Traveling around Europe and facing different coaches is stimulating, there is always the possibility to study and understand something. Yesterday’s Champions League results are emblematic of this, there are good players and coaches all over the world, and we must never underestimate anyone. I repeat to the team that we are sure to work well, but it’s not always possible to do everything perfectly as planned. Football is simple, but situations on the field change quickly and require great reading, attention, and communication.”

Starting from the controversies raised by Italiano, how much does the still-open market influence?
“It’s not only difficult to work like this, it’s also wrong. It’s not clear why the market should continue with the matches ongoing, especially since the seasons end in late May. Coaches cannot understand this. However, I must emphasize that in my group, beyond Comuzzo’s situation which may take something away because inevitably such a situation leads to gossip, I always see great attention. We want to have ambition in the Conference, but if we don’t pass tomorrow, everything will be thrown away. The market doesn’t interest us right now, the attitudes are all correct but something needs to change because what Italiano says is what all coaches think.”

How did you find Sabiri? Can he stay [at Fiorentina]?
“At the beginning, he was not part of our plans, but out of necessity, we brought him in and he behaved very well. He has good qualities, he is doing well, he will be with us tomorrow but I cannot say what will happen in the last days of the market.”

Do you agree with the referees’ explanations for VAR decisions?
“The fact that the referee can explain the decision is a good thing. About ten years ago, I went to see the Six Nations rugby, they gave me earphones at the entrance for the referee’s explanations. I really like that.”

Are you in favor of VAR on call?
“I am in favor of having the best actual time possible, with potential calls, I think too much time would be lost. So, I don’t like it, I am in favor of actual time even if we will never reach it. That’s why I would continue like this, accepting the referee’s decisions.