Stefano Pioli concedes Fiorentina “simply faced a stronger side” after their 3-0 defeat to Inter at San Siro and thanked his old fans.
This was his debut on the Viola bench and he made it away to the club that fired him in April, but the Nerazzurri ultras unfurled a banner thanking him for his efforts last season.
“I want to thank them, because I was not expecting that,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.
Stefano Pioli concedes Fiorentina “simply faced a stronger side” after their 3-0 defeat to Inter at San Siro and thanked his old fans.
This was his debut on the Viola bench and he made it away to the club that fired him in April, but the Nerazzurri ultras unfurled a banner thanking him for his efforts last season.
“I want to thank them, because I was not expecting that,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.
“We simply faced a stronger side tonight that was also better-prepared. It’s a shame we conceded a goal on a situation that we had studied and should’ve known how to handle, but the performance wasn’t a total disaster.
“It’s a heavy result, but I saw the right character and my players never gave up. There’s a lot of work to be done, but also many new players to count on. Clearly, it’s up to us to inspire the fans.”
Inter’s penalty was awarded using VAR, but the same technology was also used to deny Giovanni Simeone a potential spot-kick.
“I would’ve preferred Paolo Tagliavento control the situation himself rather than leave it to the other officials, because it didn’t look that clear to me.”