Vincenzo Italiano praised his Fiorentina team for coming back from two goals down against Ferencváros to draw 2-2 in the Conference League. La Viola went behind to a first-half Barnabás Varga goal, with Ibrahim Cissé adding a second on the 50′ minute mark. Antonin Barák got one back for the hosts before Jonathan Ikoné scored a late equaliser in stoppage time to secure a vital point. Speaking of the match to Sky Sport, Italiano highlighted his teams attitude in their fightback, but raised questions about the first half performance:
“I can’t understand the first half we played. We went slowly, we gave it to them: with a higher rhythm we would have done well even in the first half. The positive aspect? The reaction of the lads to go and get it back. The changes helped us: when the subs come in with this attitude, it’s always important for a coach. In the last 20 minutes we could have scored even 4-5 goals”.
“There is always the psychological aspect. The opponent lowers the centre of gravity a bit, you take the field and try to take advantage of the opportunities. It’s all a mental question. They were good until the 60th minute then we came out. We didn’t concede that much in the first half, but they are strong in the open field. When you don’t know your opponents well they always prove to be fearsome, especially in Europe. On set-pieces we have to defend better.
“In view of the Napoli game this weekend we have to see how to recover several players, especially Nico Gonzalez. He has played them all: fatigue will take over.”
