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Fiorentina: Pioli in Press Conference

Tomorrow will be another European day for Fiorentina, tasked with completing the work started last week against Polissya. With a strong 3-0 lead from the first leg, Stefano Pioli’s team is getting ready to face the return leg at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia. It’s where the coach spoke in a press conference to preview the 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 and what are you asking from him?
“Edin is doing well, he had a few issues but now he’s ready to play. He’s more of a playmaker than a striker, but he has the intelligence to do both. Teams are built by fielding different characteristics.”

Considering the result from the first leg, will you think about rotation or stick with the same players?
“I will change something. The choices for Cagliari were leaning 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 line?
“An important addition, he gives us more offensive solutions in terms of both depth and ball control. He has technical and physical abilities, can integrate well, and I am happy that he has arrived especially because he has presented himself well. We want players who come convinced they have made the right choice, he arrived at the right time 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 will 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, great, otherwise we will remain 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, depending also on the formation. We will see his development and our performances, for now, we have completed the attacking line where we have 5 players. I am fortunate to have Gud and Fazzini who can play as second striker, attacking midfielder, but also central midfielder, there are many things we need to explore within the game. Fagioli knows how to play the ball and make vertical passes, he can also play higher up, but at the moment I see him as the playmaker.”

What are you working on in these weeks?
“There are many situations and balances we need to find within the game. It’s good to play a lot during this period, of course, training is necessary but it’s the matches that show us at what level we are in individual situations. I am waiting with attention for the developments. On Thursday we played with higher quality, on Sunday the technical level and clarity were lower, and we had difficulties in creating offensive situations. I am now focusing on the team’s balance, then later 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, now he is in a condition to play. He is interesting, has quality and good speed, can play both on 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 for matches against lesser-known teams?
“Their coach is excellent, in the first leg, we were good at surprising them. I told the players 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 start. Travelling around Europe and facing different coaches is stimulating, there is always the opportunity 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 keep telling the team that we are sure we are working 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 transfer 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 already started, especially since the seasons end in late May. Coaches cannot understand this. However, I must emphasize that in my group, beyond the situation of Comuzzo which can cause some distraction because inevitably such a situation generates chatter, I always see great attention. We want to have ambition in the Conference League, but if we don’t pass tomorrow, everything will be lost. The market does not interest us now, the attitudes are all correct but something needs to change, because what Italiano says is what all coaches think.”

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

Explanations from referees on VAR decisions?
“The fact that the referee can explain the decision is a good thing. About ten years ago, I went to watch the Six Nations rugby, they gave me earpieces at the entrance for the referee’s explanations. I really like it.”

Are you in favor of VAR by request?
“I am in favor of having the best actual playing 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 playing time even though it will never be achieved. That’s why I would continue like this, accepting the referee’s decisions.”

That said, VAR should only intervene in clear and evident errors, which is not always done and is wrong.

The different approach between the first leg with Polissya and Cagliari?
“Right to praise after Thursday, right to criticize after Sunday because we did not perform as we wanted.”

How is Pongracic and how do you see him?
“He has really important potential. He is a complete defender with reading skills, physicality, and the ability to play. He is growing and can still grow, much will depend on his attitude. A defender must have reliability and this characteristic must be trained consistently. We are working on this and I am getting good responses.”

Mandragora had problems during the retreat and has not yet renewed. However, on Sunday he entered the field in a great way…
“He is 100% part of the project. He had a contusive problem in his knee and did not train consistently, he is strong and intelligent and is absolutely part of the project.”

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