Fiorentina manager Raffaele Palladino addressed the media ahead of his team’s crucial Conference League match against LASK. With the fixture set for Wednesday, December 12th at 18:45, Palladino emphasized the importance of securing a win to maintain their position at the top of the group and edge closer to qualifying for the knockout stages.
Speaking to Sky Sport, Palladino began by highlighting the significance of the upcoming match: “Tomorrow’s game is fundamental and decisive for us. We must finish among the top 8; that’s our objective. Tomorrow we face a very organized team that will do everything to make things difficult for us.”
The coach warned against complacency, drawing from recent experiences: “The risk is going onto the field and allowing lapses in concentration that could cost us dearly, as happened in the Coppa Italia. Teams in the Conference League are complicated to face, but we have prepared well for the game.”
Addressing injury concerns, Palladino provided updates on several players: “Cataldi took a knock to his ankle on Sunday, but we expect to have him back for the Bologna game. Gudmundsson and Kean are doing well; Moise will start. For Albert, we’re trying to get him back to his best form. We shouldn’t rush to throw him onto the field but gradually help him find his best condition. We have many strong players in the attacking midfield.”
On Biraghi’s absence, Palladino explained: “He won’t be there due to a technical decision. He wasn’t used to playing so little because he’s always been important for the club. I thank him for his contributions, but technical choices must be respected.”
Palladino also expressed confidence in his team’s capabilities: “I’m very ambitious, and the boys are giving their all at this moment. They want to be competitive always, and we want to play our game against everyone. It’s all very beautiful; we must continue like this to surprise even more.”
He added a note of encouragement for his players: “It’s important that we stay focused and disciplined. If we can do that, we can achieve great things together. The dream of reaching the knockout stages is alive, and we need to keep pushing forward.”
Concluding on an optimistic note, Palladino stated: “We’re dreaming, and we continue to do so. Every match is an opportunity for us to prove ourselves and show what Fiorentina can do on an international stage.”
