Raffaele Palladino saw Fiorentina ‘raise the quality level’ in the second half to turn the Conference League game with St. Gallen around in a 4-2 victory. ‘It was not easy to react like that.’
It was a hard-fought match in Switzerland, especially after the hosts had taken the lead going into half-time.
The Viola turned it around with goals in quick succession for Lucas Martinez Quarta and Jonathan Ikone, only for Lukas Gortler’s looping header to equalise at 2-2.
There was a final surge from Ikone and Robin Gosens to lock down the 4-2 result and maintain their perfect Conference League record.
Palladino admires Fiorentina comeback
“I am fortunate to have a great staff, so we study where we can hurt our opponents and have a refresher at half-time,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia.
“We analyse the data and then see what we can do better. Often we see a strong response from the team, just like the one we had today. I am happy with the reaction, the lads did really well.
“We had the right approach in the first half too, but we knew that St. Gallen press hard, especially on home turf. We lacked fluidity in the first half, but did better in the second with Ikone and Sottil raising the quality level.
“It was not easy to react like that and I congratulate my players, they deserved the result with a fine performance.”
With Albert Gudmundsson, Rolando Mandragora, Moise Kean and Marin Pongracic injured, Edoardo Bove was moved into a more advanced trequartista role behind the centre-forward.
“He is doing well. Those who understand football can tell the great work he is doing there. He is our joker in the pack and can be used in any position, because he’s so intelligent and also tactically mature. Bove has great vision.
“I asked the midfielders to build the play out with passing and dynamism. Amir Richardson did really well today and will become a great player.”
Kean was only fit for the bench with an ankle issue, so will the centre-forward be available for this weekend’s Serie A match against Roma?
“I hope so. It is not easy, as he had a real knock in the Lecce game, but if he doesn’t make it then we have valid alternatives. I am relaxed,” concluded Palladino.
Fiorentina now have six points from two Conference League games, scoring six goals and conceding two.
However, they face a likely fine after the match was repeatedly interrupted by their supporters throwing flares onto the pitch.
