The Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino spoke to Sky Sports tracing an initial assessment of his new adventure on the banks of the Arno: “Certainly positive as far as I’m concerned and for the results that have arrived. There are aspects to improve on and we are working towards this, at the beginning we had difficulties in finding the team identity and now we are on the right path. There is great growth in the boys, we only suffered one defeat in what was probably the best match played, that is against Atalanta. I am happy with what the team is doing expressing now.”
The turning point with Lazio with the transition from the defense to 3 to 4. What happened in those 15 minutes of half-time?
“Nothing in particular… In those 15 minutes we analyzed the first half, I thought about changing the game system because the team can do it given last season with Italiano. Making a change seemed right to me and I think the team responded very well In the first months we worked with a different system, with a three-man defense, but I’m happy because the team has reached the maturity to play both today’s football systems, with such intelligent players, we can start with three or 4 and even change during the race.”
What is your ambition and the team’s goal?
“I am aware of the fact that Fiorentina is a historic and ambitious club and so am I, with the staff and team. This is a competitive group, we want to achieve great goals and improve ourselves and this is only possible with training, working as hard as the team is doing to give satisfaction to the fans. This is all we can promise, I would like the team to grow more and more. This is why I don’t feel like talking about an objective, because the objective is to do well in everyday life.”
Kean’s impact and Colpani’s difficulties?
“We can open a book about Moise… He has my trust and that of the club. The word trust may seem banal, but it is fundamental. He proved to be a great professional straight away and has grown mentally, he does every training session to the maximum and is an example for his teammates. He must never lose this attitude, he must be physically fit to express his potential. On a technical level he is doing great things, we enjoy it, he is an asset for Fiorentina and Italian football I’m crazy about him, I’m happy even doing a hard job, he goes 12 kilometers a game and is one of the attackers who kicks the most in Serie A. He lacks goals and a bit of confidence, but I’m happy because he and the other attackers are working well for the team.”
The hardest and easiest thing since his arrival?
“There isn’t a particular difficulty… I like the change, I could have stayed in a comfort zone like Monza but I wanted something different, I wanted the cups and Fiorentina looked hard for me. You arrive in a new club with new players and you have to find an identity, but you grow through difficulties so they are welcome, because we are here specifically to solve them. I have a club that has put me in a position to work well and I thank them and the players work well. I’m happy here in Florence, I found a wonderful city. I spend 24 hours at Viola Park but when I can I enjoy the city which is beautiful.”