Paolo Vanoli admits Fiorentina gamers are usually not capable of deal with the stress of their disaster . ‘After each tiny error, their heads drop. There’s a very lengthy street forward of us.’
This was the primary UEFA match of his teaching profession, and he had hoped to at the least hold the unbeaten streak going after back-to-back Serie A attracts in opposition to Genoa and Juventus.
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Nevertheless, luck was actually not on their facet this night, as VAR intervened to disallow two targets for Albert Gudmundsson and Luca Ranieri, whereas Edin Dzeko hit the crossbar.
In the end, the match was determined by Mijat Gacinovic being allowed to prod in a deflected cross from six yards comparatively undisturbed, giving AEK Athens all three factors.
Vanoli recognises depth of Fiorentina issues
FLORENCE, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Paolo Vanoli supervisor of ACF Fiorentina appears on throughout the UEFA Convention League 2025/26 League Part MD4 match between ACF Fiorentina and AEK Athens FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on November 27, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Picture by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Photographs)
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“I didn’t get forward of myself after Genoa and Juve, I gained’t get downhearted now,”
Edin Dzeko was bitterly vital of the Fiorentina followers after the sport, insisting they wanted “assist” from the supporters and to not be jeered at each misplaced go.
“I really feel Dzeko meant it in a optimistic approach, stating there are various younger gamers on this squad and they’re struggling proper now,” replied Vanoli.
“We all know the state of affairs, however should additionally bear in mind that it’s a long-running state of affairs. We’re mistaken to suppose that if we win one sport, the issues are over. I knew there can be highs and lows on this journey.
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“We stayed within the sport at this time, however should be technically stronger, see the strikes. Fortune favours the courageous, and we are attempting to go searching for our fortune, discovering the boldness to make these strikes.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: David de Gea goalkeeper of ACF Fiorentina appears on throughout the UEFA Convention League 2025/26 League Part MD4 match between ACF Fiorentina and AEK Athens FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on November 27, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Picture by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Photographs)
The coach mentioned he had chosen gamers with quite a lot of expertise for this match exactly as a result of he feared an identical setback, as lots of the Fiorentina squad look scared to make a mistake.
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“We have to work on the mentality, as a result of fairly rightly these gamers really feel weight on their shoulders. We’re professionals, we’re paid effectively exactly to take care of these pressures, however we should study to do the easy issues effectively,” continued Vanoli.
“What irritates me is that after each tiny error, the heads drop. We had loads of time to get again into this sport, and we wanted to offer one thing additional for the staff, not for ourselves as people.
“We had been sluggish shifting the ball, not discovering the precise positions, at instances there have been just a few too many touches, which allowed their defenders to shut the areas. We obtained some crosses mistaken {that a} relaxed participant wouldn’t misplace.
“As I mentioned, there’s a very lengthy street forward of us.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Paolo Vanoli supervisor of ACF Fiorentina and Marko Nikolic supervisor of AEK Athens FC embrace throughout the UEFA Convention League 2025/26 League Part MD4 match between ACF Fiorentina and AEK Athens FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on November 27, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Picture by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Photographs)
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It isn’t a complete catastrophe for Fiorentina within the Convention League, as Stefano Pioli had gained each opening fixtures earlier than he was sacked, beating Sigma Olomouc and Speedy Vienna.
Caretaker supervisor Daniele Galloppa fumbled a result in lose 2-1 away to Mainz, then there was this house defeat to AEK Athens.
Now they’ve an especially robust match in Serie A on the weekend in opposition to Atalanta, and threat going the primary 13 rounds with no single victory.
“I all the time mentioned we have to settle ourselves into this new actuality. Once you begin a season for prime targets and end up down there, the whole lot turns into damaging. We’ve obtained to remodel that into optimistic vitality, even the tiniest moments. I realise it’s not straightforward, however now we have to recharge our batteries and take it in the future at a time,” concluded Vanoli.