Following ACF Fiorentina’s hard-fought 2–1 victory over Empoli, head coach Raffaele Palladino shared his thoughts on a crucial win in the race for Europe. Speaking after the match, Palladino praised his players for their resilience and growth at a vital point in the season.

“The step forward, especially against teams lower in the table, has come at just the right time,” said Palladino. “It’s been a complicated week, with important players like Moise Kean and Dodo missing, but the group has shown great strength. In tough times, this team finds a way to come together and respond. We’re happy with the journey that we are on and want to keep pushing because we can make this a fantastic season.”

Reflecting on the match itself, Palladino acknowledged that there is still room for improvement. “In the first half, we showed real quality, both technically and physically, scoring two brilliant goals and barely giving Empoli a chance. In the second half, they pressed more and we conceded a goal from a throw-in, which we could’ve avoided. We must be pragmatic at this stage of the season, even if I don’t like it when we sit deep. We also have to recognise the merit of our opponents. Overall, I want to congratulate the whole squad, including the substitutes who came on and made an impact.”

Palladino also addressed the high ambitions within the squad. “We are so ambitious, but we must focus on ourselves and continue playing with intensity. The teams ahead of us are strong, but we have to keep fighting without setting any limits.”

One of the standout performers of the afternoon was Rolando Mandragora, whose stunning goal helped seal the victory. “I told him he was a phenomenon today!” smiled Palladino. “He scored a fantastic goal and fully deserves the praise.”

The coach also discussed Michael Folorunsho’s contribution, highlighting his versatility: “Michael is adapting very well to a role that isn’t natural for him and he gave everything today. Fabiano Parisi is also an option there as an inverted wing-back, while Matias Moreno offers more defensive cover. We’ll think about the right solutions ahead of the matches to come, starting tomorrow.”

On the fitness front, Palladino reassured fans about Kean’s situation. “We’ve been messaging. He showed great affection from a distance. He should return tomorrow night and be available for training on Tuesday.”

As Fiorentina enter a decisive period with a packed fixture list, Palladino stressed the importance of mentality and squad management. “We are going into our 47th match this season. Fatigue exists, of course, but more than anything, positive energy and mental strength matter now. Thanks to our staff, we’re managing the recovery process well. We know we have many crucial matches ahead, but whoever plays, I am confident they’ll give everything.”

Regarding Lucas Beltran, who started on the bench due to a slight illness, Palladino commented: “He had a fever two days ago, so I chose to ease him back in. Mentally, I believe he’s come through a difficult spell and is feeling stronger.”

Finally, Palladino reflected on Fiorentina’s evolution over the course of the season: “Earlier in the year, we played beautiful football but weren’t ruthless. Now the team has matured. We know when to play, when to push and when to dig in and defend. That’s a real sign of growth. Of course, I prefer not to resort to long balls, but sometimes you have to adapt to the circumstances.”

He also had words of encouragement for Yacine Adli, who made a notable contribution with a goal and assist: “Yacine had an incredible first six months, playing like a top player. After being out for six weeks, he’s slowly finding his rhythm again. He’s not yet at his best, but he gave us a big hand today and can still do a lot more.”

With determination, unity and growing maturity, Fiorentina continue to push forward in their bid to end the season on a high and secure European football next season.