Fiorentina focus on unity and support for Pioli after poor results

Fiorentina director general Alessandro Ferrari reiterated the support for coach Stefano Pioli ahead of the Conference League clash with Rapid Vienna.

It kicks off at the Weststadion in Vienna at 17.45 UK time (16.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Steaua Bucharest-Bologna and Roma-Viktoria Plzen on the Liveblog.

The Viola got off to a disastrous start in Serie A this season, scraping only three stalemates from the opening seven rounds of the tournament.

Their Conference League form has been better, getting off to a 2-0 victory over Sigma Olomouc after winning both preliminary round ties.

“The locker room is perhaps the area where we have the best form at the moment,” smiled Ferrari on Sky Sport Italia.

“We are very united, there are debates, trying to see how we can all do better and help each other out. This is a new adventure this season, we must stay united and try to turn these results around.”

President Rocco Commisso called in this afternoon and has publicly backed coach Pioli.

“I speak to the President more than once every day. He too believes Stefano Pioli is the man who can help the team improve, he took this role with great enthusiasm, and we are all very united on that too.”

Director of sport Daniele Pradè had taken on responsibility after the 2-1 defeat to AC Milan over the weekend, acknowledging he had been targeted by protests from the fans.

“Everyone is responsible, from the players to the directors and coach,” replied Ferrari.

“I think everyone knows we feel responsible, but the important thing now is to raise our heads, push forward, change course, and give something more, because what we’ve done so far is evidently not enough.”

Fiorentina released a statement yesterday complaining that the renovation project for the Stadio Artemio Franchi has been hit by further delays, meaning it probably won’t be finished until after the club’s centenary year.

“Unfortunately, Rocco wanted to build a new stadium and they wouldn’t let him. There was an escalation of situations at the limit, we are dialoguing with the new council, but anyone who looks at the Stadio Franchi can see that there are serious delays.”