Strength in depth made all the difference at San Siro, writes Kaustubh Pandey, as Inter substitutes changed the game against Fiorentina.
There was a brief period in the game on Saturday when Fiorentina would have been feeling like proper European contenders, as they rode on Franck Ribery’s masterclass to go 3-2 up at San Siro. There was this feeling of deja vu creeping in, as La Viola were the only team that Inter had failed to beat last season and it seemed like another one of those days.
Beppe Iachini believes Fiorentina deserved a victory against Inter, so there are many regrets after a 4-3 defeat. ‘We have a lot of very young forwards and they are a little green.’
The Viola had taken the lead at San Siro within three minutes, were 3-2 up at the 86th minute and wasted a golden opportunity with Dusan Vlahovic, set on a silver platter for him by Franck Ribery.
Fiorentina coach Beppe Iachini has admitted he would have preferred facing Inter further down the line.
The Viola started with a 1-0 win against Torino last weekend but Iachini insists some of his new players ‘still need time to be at their best’ ahead of the trip to Milan.
The match against Inter might come too soon for the Fiorentina coach, but he still hopes for a 'great performance' against the Nerazzurri.
Beppe Iachini wants to see more goals from Fiorentina midfielders after Gaetano Castrovilli decided their 1-0 win over Torino.
Castrovilli scored the only goal of the game and the first of the 2020-21 Serie A season, meeting Federico Chiesa’s cross at the back post.
Fiorentina coach Beppe Iachini said he believes ‘95 per cent of the squad’ has been set and counts on Federico Chiesa to continue fighting for the Viola colours.
The Tuscan side start with a home game against Torino and the coach revealed he is not sure what to expect from the first match in Serie A 2020-21.
“We want to start again with the same approach and the same attitude, but we don’t know how we will find the team,” Iachini said at a press conference.
Fiorentina wing-back Cristiano Biraghi left the pitch injured after 21 minutes of the 5-1 win against Reggiana today.
The left-back, who recently returned from loan at Inter, headed straight down the tunnel after taking a hit in the first half against Reggiana today.
Braces from Franck Ribery and Christian Kouame and a goal from Federico Chiesa secured a triumphant win in Saturday’s friendly.
But Biraghi has Iachini worried, as the coach must wait to understand the extent of the Italy international’s injury.
Fiorentina are reportedly rejecting every offer for Dusan Vlahovic, as coach Beppe Iachini has a place for the Serbia international in his plans.
Roma and Hellas Verona have been linked with the 20-year-old in recent weeks, but Tuttomercatoweb claims Fiorentina have changed their mind and the centre-forward is currently not for sale.
Vlahovic arrived from FK Partizan Belgrade in July 2018 and has since played 44 games for the Viola, contributing eight goals and two assists.
Fiorentina coach Beppe Iachini reportedly wants a new striker at the Artemio Franchi, with Krzysztof Piatek and Andrea Belotti mentioned as the two targets.
Il Corriere dello Sport claims the Viola are not giving up on Torino forward Belotti, who they have admired for a long time.
But Torino could ask for over €50m for Belotti and therefore Fiorentina must have a back-up plan.
Iachini, who was confirmed to continue at the helm for 2020-21 last month, has reportedly identified Piatek as the solution.
Fiorentina President Rocco Commisso explains why he decided to keep Beppe Iachini for next season, while Federico Chiesa ‘has the all-clear to leave as long as he brings in the right money.’
The Viola ended their Serie A season with a 3-1 victory away to SPAL this evening.
“I thank everyone, from the doctors to the coaching staff, because Fiorentina had more coronavirus cases probably than any other team,” Commisso told Sky Sport Italia.
Fiorentina coach Beppe Iachini urges his side to ‘end the season with heads held high’ and is grateful to know he’ll be on their bench next season too.
The final game with SPAL kicks off on Sunday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“I am very fond of Fiorentina, of Florence and of this jersey, so my confirmation for next season brings both satisfaction and joy,” Iachini told the official club website.
