Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino reflected on his team’s 2-1 loss to Inter Milan in a post-match interview with DAZN, expressing both pride and regret. Despite the defeat, Palladino stood by his decisions, emphasizing the meritocracy within his squad. “I would absolutely make the same choices again,” he stated. “Considering the great performance on Thursday and the importance of rewarding players based on merit, I have no regrets. Although Comuzzo was unavailable due to suspension, Moreno delivered an excellent performance.”
Palladino praised his team’s effort against a formidable opponent. “I’m proud of my boys. We held our ground against a great team that will fight for the title until the end,” he said. However, he acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly regarding set-piece defense. “I never talk about referees, but there is regret over that corner kick. That’s something we need to work on.”
When asked about his vision for the team moving forward, Palladino expressed confidence in his squad’s potential. “I have technical, human, and physical resources at my disposal. We improved in many aspects during January, and my task is to gradually integrate new players into an already strong group,” he explained. “Although time has been limited, these players are very committed and are quickly understanding their roles.”
On the subject of Nicolo Zaniolo’s role within the team, Palladino highlighted his versatility. “He can play as a winger in a 4-2-3-1 or as an attacking midfielder in a 3-5-2 system. He originally started as a mezzala (central midfielder). I know him well since I played with his father. If needed, he can even play as a striker. I believe he can make a significant contribution, just like all our other signings.”
Regarding penalty duties, Palladino revealed his approach to fostering team harmony. “I leave the decision to the players; they need to sort it out among themselves,” he said. “We have several skilled penalty takers, and I appreciate their selflessness. That’s what happened today.”
