Vincenzo Italiano expressed the sense of honor Fiorentina felt in commemorating the late director Joe Barone during their challenging match against Milan but declined to address speculation regarding his potential departure.
The atmosphere at Stadio Franchi was emotionally charged for the team’s first game since Joe Barone’s passing due to a heart attack. Tributes, including banners, choreographed displays in the stands, and the release of white balloons, marked the occasion.
Italiano acknowledged the team’s effort to pay tribute, mentioning their immediate response to Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s goal with Alfred Duncan’s equalizer. However, Milan secured victory with Rafael Leao’s decisive goal, leaving Italiano to reflect on missed opportunities.
While praising his team’s defensive efforts against a formidable opponent like Milan, Italiano lamented conceding the second goal. Despite the loss, he commended the players’ dedication and emphasized the need to refocus for upcoming challenges.
Looking ahead, Italiano acknowledged the team’s struggles in converting scoring opportunities and highlighted the importance of addressing this issue collectively.
Nico Gonzalez’s limited involvement due to exhaustion following international duty underscored the need for squad rotation. Italiano expressed confidence in his team’s ability to overcome challenges, drawing inspiration from their performance against Milan.
Regarding speculation about his future at Fiorentina, Italiano stressed the importance of focusing on the remaining matches of the season. He emphasized the team’s unity and dedication to honoring Barone’s legacy through their performances.
In summary, Italiano’s comments reflect a mix of tribute, determination, and pragmatism as Fiorentina navigates both their on-field challenges and the uncertain future surrounding their coach.
Fiorentina performance and stats
Fiorentina
Fiorentina is currently 10th in the Serie A with 43 points.
In the last 29 games, it has won 12 times, drawn 7 times, and lost 10 times. In its last match, Fiorentina lost 1-2 against Milan.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 42 goals and conceding 34.
