Vanoli: ‘Fiorentina heads drop after every tiny error’

Paolo Vanoli admits Fiorentina players are not able to handle the pressure of their crisis after defeat to AEK Athens. ‘After every tiny error, their heads drop. There is a very long road ahead of us.’

This was the first UEFA match of his coaching career, and he had hoped to at least keep the unbeaten streak going after back-to-back Serie A draws against Genoa and Juventus.

However, luck was really not on their side this evening, as VAR intervened to disallow two goals for Albert Gudmundsson and Luca Ranieri, while Edin Dzeko hit the crossbar.

Ultimately, the match was decided by Mijat Gacinovic being allowed to prod in a deflected cross from six yards relatively undisturbed, giving AEK Athens all three points.

“I didn’t get ahead of myself after Genoa and Juve, I won’t get downhearted now,” Vanoli told Sky Sport Italia.

Edin Dzeko was bitterly critical of the Fiorentina fans after the game, insisting they needed “help” from the supporters and not to be jeered at every misplaced pass.

“I feel Dzeko meant it in a positive way, pointing out there are many young players in this squad and they are struggling right now,” replied Vanoli.

“We know the situation, but must also be aware that it is a long-running situation. We are wrong to think that if we win one game, the problems are over. I knew there would be highs and lows in this journey.

“We stayed in the game today, but need to be technically stronger, see the moves. Fortune favours the brave, and we are trying to go looking for our fortune, finding the confidence to make those moves.”

The coach said he had chosen players with a lot of experience for this match precisely because he feared a similar setback, as many of the Fiorentina squad look scared to make a mistake.

“We need to work on the mentality, because quite rightly these players feel weight on their shoulders. We are professionals, we are paid well precisely to deal with these pressures, but we must learn to do the simple things well,” continued Vanoli.

“What irritates me is that after every tiny error, the heads drop. We had plenty of time to get back into this game, and we needed to give something extra for the team, not for ourselves as individuals.

“We were slow moving the ball, not finding the right positions, at times there were a few too many touches, which allowed their defenders to close the spaces. We got some crosses wrong that a relaxed player wouldn’t misplace.

“As I said, there is a very long road ahead of us.”

It is not a total disaster for Fiorentina in the Conference League, as Stefano Pioli had won both opening fixtures before he was sacked, beating Sigma Olomouc and Rapid Vienna.

Caretaker manager Daniele Galloppa fumbled a lead to lose 2-1 away to Mainz, then there was this home defeat to AEK Athens.

Now they have an extremely tough match in Serie A at the weekend against Atalanta, and risk going the first 13 rounds without a single victory.

“I always said we need to settle ourselves into this new reality. When you start a season for high targets and find yourself down there, everything becomes negative. We’ve got to transform that into positive energy, even the tiniest moments. I realise it’s not easy, but we have to recharge our batteries and take it one day at a time,” concluded Vanoli.