FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 13: Head coach Raffaelel Palladino manager of ACF Fiorentina gestures during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Panathinaikos FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Raffaele Palladino admits Fiorentina ‘struggle to maintain consistency’ but argues his players deserved qualification for the Conference League quarter-finals: ‘Compliments go to everyone.’
On Thursday, the Tuscans beat Panathinaikos 3-1 in the Conference League Round of 16 second leg.
“It’s a very beautiful night for us. We needed a match like this. I want to thank the fantastic fans who pushed us just as I had hoped,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia.
“I want to thank the boys, who gave everything for the jersey, the city, the fans, and themselves. The boys deserved this great night. Fiorentina must continue to grow and deliver performances like this.
“After tonight, I think I’ve understood the problem, I hope so,” the coach continued.
“We struggle to maintain consistency for 90 minutes. It has happened too often, and we must keep growing because we have what it takes. In the first half, we could have scored four or five goals. We need to keep pushing and working hard.”
Palladino ‘understood’ Fiorentina’s problem after 3-1 win vs. Panathinaikos
Albert Gudmundsson scored for the second game in a row.
“He needs to be free to roam and find the position on the field that suits him best,” said Palladino.
“We have to be good at finding him. The whole team played well. Cataldi, Fagioli, and Mandragora were excellent. I really liked the team. They executed everything we had worked on.
“I try to help the boys in every way because they have the quality to do it. We need to find consistency over the full 90 minutes. There are moments in the game when you must drop back and fight together,” Palladino concluded.
“Gud and Kean had a tremendous first half. They also defended together, but everyone did well, including Zaniolo and Beltrán, who came off the bench. Today, the compliments go to everyone.”
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