“Fiorentina means a lot to me, I wanted another phase for me and my family”. The words are from someone who has clear ideas about what to do and how to do it. That is, that Robin Gosens who returned to Italy and is ready to write another important page in his career. This time wearing the purple jersey of Fiorentina. And the German, who has already scored in the championship, presented himself like this yesterday at a press conference with his new fans.
Here are Gosens’ full statements: “Even though I’m German and I’m in Berlin, in Germany we didn’t feel at home like in Italy. I’m grateful that Fiorentina gave me the opportunity to show myself again. The best part of my career was in Italy, Atalanta made me important, then I was lucky enough to play at San Siro with Inter and win trophies. I want to bring the winning mentality, for me we have a very strong team and I hope to give a hand”.
Were Turin and Bologna also interested in her?
“I’m very pleased, in the past I left an important mark and it means that my last season was important. Apart from Fiorentina I’m happy that there were rumours from other teams too”.
He will meet Gasperini again. Does Palladino seem similar to you?
“The fact that I found more or less the same formation here makes me happy, we did it with him for 5 years and the adaptation was easy. The training sessions are also similar: a lot of intensity and strength work, you can see that he is inspired by him. On a personal level I feel very good in schemes like 3-4-3 or 3-5-2, I can express myself at my best”.
What do you expect from Fiorentina? Have you got an idea of the team?
“I expect a lot, the team is strong and I saw a lot of potential. There are a lot of new players, everyone wants results right away and I understand that sport is like that, but there is also a coach with new ideas: a little patience is always needed, we are on an important path and we are improving day after day. I expect a lot from the season, Florence is an important place and I am sure that we will do very well”.
Do you see signs of destiny in your arrival in Florence?
“I think everything happens for a reason. It’s true that a few weeks ago I was talking to my agent and I said that having a beautiful house in Tuscany would be a sight to behold… I always thought about returning to Italy and I asked around. Then a week later he called me and told me that he was talking to Fiorentina and maybe it would work out. I liked the idea from the first moment, even if in the end we did it on the last day of the transfer market. It was all my will to come here, I was sure it was the right place for me, to raise my children. We can say that it was destiny, maybe…”
Do you think you are at Atalanta’s level?
“We can only applaud what they have done in recent years. Here at Fiorentina there are all the conditions to make an important journey like that. There is an incredible sports center, I have never seen anything like it in my life, and a good mix of young and experienced players. We would all be happy…”.
How far along are you in developing the three-man defense?
“The focus of these ten days has been only on the defensive phase, we have to improve a lot and many had only played in a four-man defense. There are always improvements to be made, but we are on the right path. The central players are understanding the coach’s ideas more and more, I am very confident”.
What relationship do you imagine between you and Parisi?
“From the first moment Fabiano helped me integrate and gave me advice. I also try to make myself available to him, if he needs me I will always be there”.
Would he feel capable of playing as a left centre-back in a three-man midfield?
“Even in Germany, at Union, I had to do it sometimes in emergencies. I can express myself more as a winger, thanks to my dynamism, but if necessary I can also adapt to that role. I don’t see any problems.”
Some say that he is no longer the Atalanta player.
“We played together for two or three years there, there were automatic mechanisms and everything was going in our favor. If the team expresses itself well, a player will always do better, but honestly I haven’t changed that much. I’ve even grown a bit: even though I didn’t play as much as I wanted, the experience at Inter still helped me a lot. In the winning mentality, all the champions who were there only wanted to win. And even in Berlin, experiencing certain difficulties. I would say that compared to when I played at Atalanta I’ve grown, both physically and mentally. There are the conditions to be the player I’ve always been”.
How close do you want to get to your best scoring numbers?
“I care a lot, if I score and make assists it means I’m helping my team. Maybe I don’t have the talent of others, but I’ve always had the discipline and mentality to work hard and never stop. Only thanks to the mentality I’m here now, I never want to stop and always improve”.
What differences do you find between Palladino and Gasperini?
“Obviously I’ve been working with Palladino for twelve days while I worked with the other one for almost five years. Gasperini was a genius on the pitch for me, I knew he would make me better every day. I expect the same from Palladino, I liked him since I arrived but also before when we spoke on the phone. The coach is very young, maybe he feels the relationships with the players differently. I really like that he is very honest, you only improve by telling yourself the truth”.
Would you rather qualify for the Champions League or win a trophy?
“I was lucky enough to play in the Champions League for many years and for me, my growth has always been the most important thing. But I play football to win trophies and remain in history, if I have to choose I’ll go for the trophy”.
Do you hope to connect with Kean? Do you see the potential for that to happen?
“Of course, yes, and I’m confident that it will happen. I did maybe four training sessions with him, then he went to the national team, but he’s someone who protects the ball well and can become dangerous. I hope there’s a connection, but not only with him, also with the others. In the long term, it can make the difference: at Atalanta I saw how important it is to have a team that fights together and thinks in the same direction. Only in this way can you find success. I hope for the connection with Moise, he’s a strong player who I like a lot, but above all in that as a team”.