Fiorentina, Pioli: "Ready and prepared for this challenge. We'll aim for the best."
Florence, July 16, 2025 – Preceded by his first comments upon arrival in Florence and the crowds at the "Viola Carpet," here is Stefano Pioli 's meeting with the press, the new Fiorentina coach. He's a new coach, even if it's a return for him.
Do you feel like the best possible coach for this Fiorentina?
"I need to and want to feel this way. I have a great sense of responsibility towards the club and the city. I've found so much human depth here. I've never seen a training center like this. All the conditions are there to do well."
Why Florence?
"I feel it inside me, the first time they called me I felt a positive sensation and emotion."
How to play?
"We want to bring in as many quality players as possible, and we have them. After the friendlies in England, I'll have a clearer idea. I've seen a lot of enthusiasm and desire to do well. I don't want too many players; I'd rather have a few problems in a couple of games or play some young players than have players who end up sitting out in the training matches. I want everyone to be motivated."
What could still be missing from the team's construction? Goals?
"A very clear style of play, we're starting from a solid base. The goal is to raise the level, aim for the top. We're protagonists in all three competitions."
How much did this influence Kean's choice?
"I spoke to him, he's calm and strong, we're both satisfied"
Personal challenge, why did he come back?
"We want to try to raise the bar. There's a city that can't wait to see a team that plays with enthusiasm and wins. Apart from Spalletti and Simone Inzaghi, all the best coaches are in Serie A. I wanted to be there too, even though it would have been more comfortable to stay in Saudi Arabia and be one of the ten highest-paid coaches in the world. I saw that Allegri didn't put us among the Champions League candidates... I've already written that on the blackboard, we'll see."
Team set up to play 3-a-side?
"A team must attack as a whole and defend as a whole."
Having Kean Dzeko and Gud coexist in attack?
"Yes, there's this idea. We want to be unpredictable. My players have the same energy as me."
How does Gud see it tactically?
"A quality, intelligent player who provides the team with solutions in attack. The same goes for Fazzini."
Dzeko like Ibra at Milan?
When I was at Milan, if we hadn't kept Zlatan I would have asked for Edin, an important player.
The relationship with President Commisso?
"The president has invested a lot in me, I have invested a lot in Fiorentina, excellent relationship, same motivations
Dodo?
"Very strong, nice, I found him very positive.
Captain?
"I asked Ranieri if he feels up to carrying this burden. I saw that he's motivated and has grown. He'll be an excellent captain."
What do you think of the Conference? Are Fiorentina the favorites?
We're committed to this, we want to start the preliminaries well with the ambition of advancing to the next round. These will be two very difficult matches, as will the away games against Cagliari and Turin.
Was there a chance for her to go to the national team?
"Fiorentina called...":
Did you also make the choice of Florence with Astori in mind?
Davide has had a huge impact on my life, I feel Davide so much. He's with me."
In a few months, we'll enter the centennial year. What new chapter do you dream of writing in this story?
"I like to dream, but you have to work hard during the day to make the dreams we dream at night come true. There's a chance to be ambitious and close the gap to the teams ahead."
La Nazione
