Fiorentina Coach Stefano Pioli “wouldn’t have given either of the penalties” in the controversial 3-3 draw with Inter, but looks ahead to the Coppa Italia.
It was a chaotic encounter, as the Viola took the lead after just 16 seconds, Inter fought back to go 3-1 up with a debatable penalty for Edimilson Fernandes’ handball.
Fiorentina Coach Stefano Pioli “wouldn’t have given either of the penalties” in the controversial 3-3 draw with Inter, but looks ahead to the Coppa Italia.
It was a chaotic encounter, as the Viola took the lead after just 16 seconds, Inter fought back to go 3-1 up with a debatable penalty for Edimilson Fernandes’ handball.
An incredible Luis Muriel free kick from 30 metres out got them back into it and at the 100th minute Danilo D’Ambrosio was adjudged to have handled when it seemed to hit his chest. Jordan Veretout converted the penalty.
“It was so full of incidents. To be honest, I wouldn’t have given either of the penalties. A player shouldn’t just keep his hands clamped behind his back at all times, but evidently they are giving these all the time now,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“We didn’t keep the advantage for long enough and I thought we played a lot better in the first half. We came out with the desire to get straight back on track in the second half, but immediately conceded the third goal.
“The positive is that this team never gives up. I won’t forget this is a very young squad and we can only grow and learn from these experiences.
“Inter pass it around well and we tried to be more aggressive on Marcelo Brozovic, as he starts their moves. In the second half, there was a period where we lost our balance and Inter took control, but we never stopped believing.”
Fiorentina will play Atalanta in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final on Wednesday evening, with Lazio–Milan on Tuesday.
“It’s a huge opportunity for all of us, as I don’t know the last time the top four teams from the previous season have all gone out before the semi-finals, so anyone can realistically aim at winning the trophy.
“I tried to give Muriel some rest today, while Nikola Milenkovic had flu and was unable to play. We’ll see what decisions to make on Wednesday. We know there are going to be difficulties and we’ll try to overcome them.”