NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 05: Stefano Pioli, Head Coach of Fiorentina, looks on prior to the pre-season friendly match between Nottingham Forest and ACF Fiorentina at City Ground on August 05, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Fiorentina head coach Stefano Pioli believes that it was the correct decision to send off Moise Kean for elbowing an opponent during the team’s 3-0 win over Polissya in the Conference League play-offs on Thursday night, but feels that the opposition should have also been punished as a result of the incident.
It was a busy 45 minutes for the Italy international, who scored, provided an assist and was sent off all before half-time in a 3-0 win against Polissya in the first leg of the Conference League play-off round on Thursday night. Robin Gosens and Albert Gudmundsson provided the other Viola goals.
The biggest talking point of the game came just before half-time, when Kean was given his marching orders for frustratedly elbowing his opponent in response to being held and having his hair pulled.
Kean was the only player to receive any punishment for the incident.
Pioli reacts to Kean’s red card in Polissya 0-3 Fiorentina
Pioli believes that it was the correct decision to send Kean off, but feels that Polissya were fortunate to have escaped any punishment themselves.
“Moise made a mistake and the reaction deserves a red card, but pulling of the hair should have also been punished,” Pioli said after full-time, reported via TMW.
“I feel sorry for him. He’ll learn from these situations, too. He will be fresher for the tricky start against Cagliari.”
On the rest of the game, Pioli added: “It’s a satisfying feeling. Putting this importance on our first official match of the season means a lot for us. We’ve worked hard over the last 40 days, it’s right to be rewarded with a good victory, which, however, does not guarantee our qualification. “
