Raffaele Palladino, Fiorentina coachspoke in the press room after the 3-2 victory over Pafos in the Conference match: “Let’s enjoy the evening, then from tomorrow we’ll start thinking about Inter. A good match was played against a good team, we had great spirit , desire and determination. The victory was a little tainted by those two goals, but that’s what matches are like: as soon as you lose a bit of attention they try to put you in difficulty.”
Is the next step to concede fewer goals?
“Yes, but today it wasn’t easy. We faced a very vertical team, but an excellent performance was put in: we didn’t risk much. We scored the goals a bit on our own, it can happen and guys know they have to be more careful to this thing. Let’s take the glass three-quarters full if we want to be realistic.”
What led to the choice of Dodo, Beltran and Comuzzo as starters?
“We wanted to put the opponents in difficulty, we know that Lucas doesn’t have a substitute. As soon as Gudmundsson returns he will have a further change. Dodo returned from the national team with great spirit and I liked how he faced this match. Finally I thought that Comuzzo could have more minutes in my legs because I replaced him on Sunday.”
Have you been scared in the last few minutes?
“No, going for 3-2 we could have also gone for 4-2. No fear, I don’t like playing with fear.”
Which players would you “steal” from Pafos?
“It’s not worth mentioning just one, but he has at least three or four of excellent quality that we have also studied in recent days. I congratulate the coach and the club who are doing a really good job.”
Which team did you think was better between Apoel and Pafos?
“Maybe Pafos has some better individuality, especially up front. It’s a good team, I liked it a lot. But so is Apoel: it seems to me that both coaches have good ideas.”
How are Quarta and Mandragora?
“Everything is fine, just cramps.”