Fiorentina secured a crucial 1-0 victory against Cagliari, extending their winning streak to eight consecutive matches in Serie A. The team’s manager Raffaele Palladino reflected on the significance of this win, especially considering the challenging week they had faced.
“We were coming from a peculiar week. This is a very important victory for a great group that reacted to the sting of the Coppa Italia elimination,” Palladino stated. He praised the team’s first-half performance, noting, “In the first half, we were really very good. We played the game we had to and took the lead. The regret was not closing it out then.”
Palladino dedicated the win to Edoardo Bove, a player currently in the hospital, adding an emotional touch to the victory. “We dedicate the victory to Bove. There’s also the twist of fate with the goal from his friend Cataldi. And the dedication moved me,” he shared.
When asked about the team’s record-equaling run of consecutive victories, matching a feat from 1960, the manager deflected personal praise: “I don’t want credit; give it to the boys. It’s all them: for how they work, for the awareness they have. These are small rewards that they must take home.”
He emphasized the importance of maintaining humility despite their ambitions. “We are an ambitious group; we must remain humble. Today we faced Cagliari as if they were the first in the standings, respecting them. We must continue like this and never lose humility,” he insisted.
Discussing the team’s defensive solidity, Palladino expressed his preference for scoring more goals rather than relying on 1-0 victories. He highlighted the importance of attacking as a form of defense: “I like to defend by attacking, without ever giving up.”
Looking ahead, Palladino stressed the importance of focusing on one game at a time, particularly their upcoming Conference League match. “We’re all dreaming a bit, but we’re not looking at the standings. If we start going too far ahead, we lose focus on the week,” he explained.
In closing, he reiterated his confidence in the team’s focus and determination: “I’m sure they’re all focused and not distracted by anything.”
