Dzeko rage at Fiorentina fans: ‘We need your help and not to be jeered’

Edin Dzeko vented his rage and frustration after Fiorentina’s home defeat to AEK Athens. ‘You can say we suck, but this team needs help from its fans, not jeering at every misplaced pass.’

The Viola have not won a single Serie A game so far this season and had at least started well in the Conference League with two victories.

However, since sacking Stefano Pioli, that too has crumbled with back-to-back losses against Mainz and AEK Athens.

“I really didn’t expect this game, as we had trained well, the coach prepared us tactically,” Dzeko told Sky Sport Italia of the 1-0 defeat at the Stadio Franchi.

“We did a bit better in the first half and had a disallowed goal, but then after they scored, it all became more difficult.”

The lack of belief in the team is palpable and Dzeko warns that their own supporters are only making the situation worse, as they were comfortably out-sung tonight by the visiting Greek fans.

“You can say that we suck, that we don’t deserve to wear the shirt, that’s all fine, no problem. However, if we are playing at home, then we need the fans to help us, not jeer at every misplaced pass.

“We’ve got to get out of this situation together, this is not right. If you need to jeer, do it after the final whistle, but during the match we need your support.

“It’s all true, we are not playing well, but we still need your help.”

Coach Paolo Vanoli had said he picked Dzeko and David De Gea to start tonight precisely because they have the experience to handle the pressure, which many of the younger players are clearly struggling with.

“We can’t seem to string two or three passes together, and that is not normal for a team like ours,” continued the veteran striker.

“The moment a player makes a mistake and the jeers start coming down, then next time he will feel anxious and perhaps not try to risk the pass, or he doesn’t want the ball at his feet. It all becomes more difficult then.

“We need more support from the stands. I understand it’s difficult at the moment, and the stadium situation is a bit strange, but we’ve got to have more support when we are playing at home. Otherwise the negative energy just keeps spiralling.”

The Stadio Artemio Franchi is undergoing reconstruction work, so large sections are empty or being torn down, so the attendance tonight was circa 9,000.