Vanoli: Fiorentina's Serie A Mission Incomplete, Now to Dream Against Crystal Palace

Paolo Vanoli has cautioned that Fiorentina's task in securing their Serie A status is far from over, even after a vital victory against Lazio propelled them eight points clear of the relegation zone. The coach stated, "Now we will try to dream against Crystal Palace."

Following a disappointing 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace in the Conference League quarter-finals at Selhurst Park, the team's primary objective remained solidifying their position in Serie A. With rivals Cremonese and Lecce both losing over the weekend, a win against Lazio would provide a significant buffer, creating an eight-point gap with just six rounds remaining.

The decisive moment in the match at the Stadio Artemio Franchi came from a Robin Gosens header. The victory was also thanks in part to crucial saves from goalkeeper David De Gea, who denied Mattia Zaccagni and Petar Ratkov.

Vanoli Emphasizes Continued Focus for Fiorentina

"It's pleasing to see the league table now, but the job is not yet complete," Vanoli admitted in an interview with DAZN Italia. "I want to express my gratitude to the players. They prepared diligently, demonstrating character, sacrifice, and a strong team spirit right through to the final whistle of seven minutes of added time. With a bit more precision in the final third, we could have secured a second goal, but I couldn't have asked for more from them."

Fiorentina now faces the formidable challenge of overturning a 3-0 deficit when they host Crystal Palace in the second leg of their Conference League quarter-final tie on Thursday evening.

"We need to recharge our batteries and dare to dream again in the Conference League. We'll be playing in front of our fans, so we must believe," Vanoli added. "A club of this stature shouldn't be accustomed to battling in the relegation zone. Hopefully, we can now play with more freedom and less pressure, as many errors stem from that. We owe it to ourselves and our supporters to give our absolute best in the Conference League as well."

The team's recent form in Serie A has been remarkable. In their last nine league matches, Fiorentina has accumulated 18 points, a tally surpassed only by Inter and Napoli, who both secured 20 points in the same period.

Considering this impressive run of results, Vanoli was asked if he believes he has made a case for remaining at the club next season.

"I have always had faith in the club. When I arrived, I knew we needed to achieve something significant. I've never focused on the future; my sole concern has been the well-being of Fiorentina. I remember the words of the President when I signed the contract, and sadly, he has since passed away. My work here is not yet finished."

Another pivotal change that has brought stability to the Viola was the arrival of director Fabio Paratici in February.

"His track record speaks for itself. He has achieved great success with numerous international clubs. He is a consummate professional, and we are all delighted to have him here."