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)
Stefano Pioli believes Fiorentina made real progress beating Rapid Vienna 3-0 in the Conference League, but warns Edin Dzeko they ‘cannot afford to field three attacking players’ right now.
A booster was very much needed for the Viola, who were in crisis after just three draws in the opening seven Serie A rounds of the season.
They received it on a rainy and windy night in Vienna, as Cher Ndour was ready on the rebound from a goalkeeping error, then Dzeko doubled their lead after the restart.
David De Gea made one great fingertip save, before Albert Gudmundsson completed the 3-0 rout late on.
Pioli coaxing Fiorentina out of crisis
“You can only emerge from moments like this one step at a time, concentrating on one particular situation rather than all of them together,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.
“We wanted to be determined with an aggressive press, winning the individual duels. There was a good response today, and we had the right approach to this match. Hopefully in the next game we’ll have improvements in other situations.”
The midfield seems to be the core of Fiorentina’s success and failure, with Nicolò Fagioli and Hans Nicolussi Caviglia pulling the strings in Vienna.
“There is always someone who starts out ahead of the others in the mind of a coach, but then that can change based on performances in training and matches.”
Dzeko confirmed his clinical nature in Europe, but is getting very little playing time in Serie A and wants more room.
“We are still seeking the right tactical balance with a lot of new players, and at this moment we cannot afford to field three attacking players at the same time,” replied Pioli.
“A lot depends on the current form of the rest of the team. Dzeko needs to make sure he is ready when called upon, just as the other lads have done. The hierarchy within the squad can change and it depends exclusively on the form and performances of the players,” insisted Pioli.
This means Fiorentina have a 100 per cent record in the Conference League after two games, having also beaten Sigma Olomouc 2-0.
It is a very different situation in Serie A, where they are still without a win and sitting in the relegation zone.
“I understand the team needs to improve its mentality, that is my job and why I was called here by the club, to raise the level of ambition,” continued Pioli.
“My presence created a lot of expectations, and such a difficult start to the season probably intensified the pressure. Having said that, I feel like our performance against Milan on Sunday was positive, we only conceded when down to 10 men and on a non-existent penalty.
“If the results start coming in, we’ll be sharper, more positive, even more entertaining and confident. Instead, we did the bare minimum, and Milan took advantage of that.”
