Italiano will not be drawn on Fiorentina future

Vincenzo Italiano feels Fiorentina ‘honoured’ the reminiscence of director Joe Barone of their hard-fought sport with Milan, however refused to touch upon his potential exit.

This was an emotional evening on the Stadio Franchi, the primary match since director Joe Barone’s demise from a coronary heart assault, and there have been tributes together with banners, a choreography within the stands and kids releasing white balloons into the sky.

The staff tried to do him proud, preventing again instantly after the Ruben Loftus-Cheek opener to equalise with Alfred Duncan, however Rafael Leao gained the sport for Milan by sprinting round Pietro Terracciano to deposit into an empty web.

“I feel we did all the things we wanted to do, particularly limiting Milan within the first half, as they’re in nice type and the primary goal was to decrease their enthusiasm ranges, which we achieved working man to man all around the pitch. The spirit of sacrifice was unbelievable, however their goalkeeper made some gorgeous saves,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.

“We completely mustn’t have conceded that second aim, however aside from that I really feel that we did our greatest. We honoured the reminiscence of our director, the lads have been utterly exhausted on the last whistle, we prompted large issues for a giant staff like Milan and tomorrow we begin once more.

“I don’t assume anybody might’ve complained if we had made it 2-2 and Maignan made two unbelievable saves to keep away from that. I feel we performed general on degree phrases with Milan.”

The Viola are in Serie A, the Coppa Italia semi-final towards Atalanta and the Convention League quarter-finals with Viktoria Plzen.

Final season, they reached the Last of each these tournaments and misplaced, so can they go all the best way once more and do even higher?

“We recognised that we’re missing upfront and must convert extra of our probabilities. That is a matter for us, at instances we can not end these alternatives and it’s a recurring drawback. All of us speak about it, attempt to resolve it.”

Nico Gonzalez was solely match for a late cameo this night towards Milan, as he returned from worldwide obligation with Argentina exhausted.

“Our greatest participant was so drained that he might solely have a quick warm-up in coaching and didn’t even keep behind to observe penalties, so we now have to rotate the squad in the mean time. It’s what we did final season and what we’ll do once more this time.

“It’s unlucky that we now have these recurring issues that we are able to’t appear to resolve, however I’ve religion after seeing this efficiency the place we prompted huge issues for a staff like Milan of their present type.”

There are a number of studies that Italiano has already informed Fiorentina he intends to depart on the finish of the season, a choice that was already made earlier than Barone’s demise.

“I’m not attempting to keep away from answering, however I insist we should strive to focus on these remaining 13 matches this season and preserve everybody centered. This type of dialogue doesn’t assist anybody, in my opinion, it may possibly take away focus.

“I’m very indignant and dissatisfied on the defeat, but in addition the way forward for Fiorentina is much extra vital than any particular person, whether or not it’s me or the gamers. Now we have to throw all the fervour, love and dedication that Barone confirmed us throughout these years and put these components into our performances for the remainder of the season.”