Pioli: "Allegri doesn't see us in the Champions League? I've already written it on the blackboard. I feel Florence inside me."

FLORENCE – "I saw that Allegri didn't put us among the candidates for the Champions League. I've already written it on the blackboard." Stefano Pioli gets a stone out of his shoe during his presentation press conference as Fiorentina manager. For the coach, who won the Italian title with AC Milan in 2022, this is his second stint in Florence, after 2017-2019. “I'm very happy to be here. I'm hungry for challenges, otherwise I would have made different choices. I've never felt so prepared,” said Pioli, who spent the last nine months in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr: “I feel Florence inside me. When they first called me, I felt a thrill, a positive feeling. I have a strong connection with Florence and Fiorentina in every way; I felt it was the right thing to do; I had no doubts. I wanted this challenge. Aside from Spalletti and Simone Inzaghi, all the best coaches in Serie A this year are there, from Conte to Allegri, to Gasperini, Italiano, and Sarri. I think I had to be here too.”

"Players have the same ambitions as me"

According to Pioli, "All the conditions are in place to do a great job, and I feel ready to do it. I've seen players ready to show the passion and determination needed to become the best they can be on the pitch every day. I arrived with great energy and enthusiasm. The players share my same emotions and ambitions. We can do a great job."

Pioli: "I saw Kean as very calm."

Kean ultimately remained in Fiorentina, despite the Arab sirens. "I spoke with Moise, I don't know how much of an impact I had, but I know he's very happy in Florence and is grateful to the club. I saw him at ease, he's very strong. Him, Dzeko, and Gudmundsson together? They can do it, this team has the characteristics to be unpredictable and variable, especially in attack."

Return to the Champions League and win a trophy

The goal is clear: "We want to raise the level, the technical and physical level of the team to be competitive, we want to be protagonists in all three competitions. In these three years, we want to try to return to playing in the Champions League and win a trophy. We know how difficult it will be, but on Sundays, those who prepare best have a better chance of winning. We have a city that can't wait to support a team that plays proactive football."

The market

According to Pioli, the starting point is excellent: "The idea is to field as many quality players as possible. But quality alone isn't enough to win; you also need availability, energy, and intensity. We have quality players, and these two or three weeks will be important. After the three friendlies in England, I'll have a clearer idea of the team. But I've seen some great things these past few days. I don't know what's still missing, but we have a good, solid foundation to do a good job. Dzeko? A very intelligent player, a person of substance, a very important presence in our team."