Palladino: ‘Some underestimated Celje-Fiorentina, I don’t listen to chit-chat’ | OneFootball

Raffaele Palladino believes that some people may have underestimated Celje ahead of the Conference League quarter-finals, but claims Fiorentina have come up with ‘two or three’ match plans to combat them in the second leg on Thursday night.

Fiorentina have a 2-1 lead over their Slovenian opponents midway through their Conference League quarter-final tie thanks to goals from Luca Ranieri and Rolando Mandragora in Celje last Thursday.

The two teams will meet again for the decisive second leg at the Franchi on Thursday evening, kicking off at the earlier time of 17.45 BST.

FLORENCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 12: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between ACF Fiorentina and LASK at Stadio Artemio Franchi on December 12, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Palladino addressed a number of topics, including his match tactics, his response to Celje’s coach, and a public showing of support for Nicolo Fagioli after his name cropped up in the press over the last week.

The Viola coach began with an assessment of what he has seen from his players in the last few days of training leading up to the Celje decider: “The team is doing fine, they’ve worked well over the last few days, with a lot of attention and intensity,” Palladino said, reported via TMW.

“Apart from those who are disqualified, everyone is fine. It’s just Colpani still recovering and he will probably join in next week. We have Gosens back, he is called up and doing fine.

“We take things game by game and we want to be competitive in both competitions. I said that on the first day, and I’m still saying it now. We don’t want to neglect anything.

“Being a month and a half away from the end of the season and fighting for Europe is nice, we want to play until the end. Our mentality has to be ambitious. The same goes for the Conference: We can get through, but it won’t be easy. But it’s an important step for us.”

Why Fiorentina did not brush Celje aside in first leg

FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 16: Head coach Raffaelel Palladino manager of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Juventus at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 16, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Palladino insists that playing against Celje was not as easy as some might have predicted, and went on to explain why playing against teams who deploy a low block is not a straightforward task.

“You have to unlock defences against teams that try and shut you down. You have to have more patience and play better technically, move the ball quickly and be careful of the opponents on the transition. It’s not easy.”

Palladino was also asked if Moise Kean is expected to start on Thursday, to which he replied: “Moise is doing a great job, but we have others as well. I will choose based on what we need for tomorrow’s match. In general, I’m happy with the attacking department. Tomorrow, we’ll have two out of Kean, Gudmundsson and Beltran.”

Palladino was also invited for an evening out with Fiorentina President Rocco Commusso. Here is what he had to say about that encounter: “We had a beautiful evening with him and his wife. Being with him is always pleasant. I recognise the fact that he loves Fiorentina, the club, the whole environment.

“I thank him for his contributions and the support he has always given me. He’s a person I love, finding people like that in football is not easy.”

Palladino responds to Celje coach’s ‘warning’

epa11708338 Head coach of Fiorentina Raffaele Palladino looks on before the UEFA Conference League match between APOEL FC and ACF Fiorentina in Nicosia, Cyprus, 07 November 2024. EPA-EFE/CHARA SAVVIDOU

Celje coach Albert Riera said during his pre-match press conference that Fiorentina need to be ‘careful’ against his side on Thursday night.

Palladino hit back with a warning of his own: “I listened to them as I always do. But I think about facts, I leave chit-chat to others. For me, those words were a motivation.”

And what did Palladino make of Celje’s performance last time out?

“I expected a team that knows how to play football, that are well-trained, with clear principles of how to play. Maybe some on the outside underestimated them, but on our part, we’ve always rated them. Same goes tomorrow, we will have to be determined and pay maximum attention to everything. We have prepared two or three match plans, we are ready.”

Palladino also spoke about Nicolo Fagioli, whose name has been brought up in the press over the last week after further details emerged from his deposition from the time of his seven-month ban for betting violations.

FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 30: Head coach Raffaele Palladino manager of ACF Fiorentina and Nicolo’ Fagioli of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Atalanta at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 30, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“I have talked to him a lot over the last few days. He’s fine, he said what he had to say on his social media platforms. He was clear, honest and sincere. I can’t add anything else.

“I can only say that I will always support and love my players. Nicolo will always have that from me, I will always defend him.”