Vanoli frustrated by Fiorentina defending: ‘Team has talent, but must work together’
FLORENCE, ITALY - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Paolo Vanoli manager of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Atalanta BC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on October 29, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Paolo Vanoli was frustrated by Fiorentina’s defending after a 2-2 draw with Atalanta. ‘This is a talented squad, but we need to defend together.’
The Viola were in crisis after three consecutive defeats, so risked crumbling after going into the break 1-0 down to a Charles De Ketelaere goal when they otherwise had a strong first half performance.
They came out fighting and turned it around through the Alieu Njie diving header and deflected Joao Mario effort, but Nicola Zalewski sealed the 2-2 result.
“The regret is that we didn’t win a game after playing very well,” Vanoli told DAZN Italia.
“We have these blackouts that are proving very costly and we cannot keep conceding goals in this manner. Fortunately, we got back into the match, but we’ve got to be more determined mentally when defending.”
There were a few surprises in the starting XI this evening, above all Joao Mario as a full-back, but it paid off with a goal.
“We are a team that plays well, but must learn how to defend, that is what we are lacking,” noted Vanoli.
“Those two goals were really gifted to Atalanta. Every match is like a puzzle, we have a lot to work on. This is a talented squad, that is not in doubt, but Italian football requires you to all defend together as a unit.
“On the first goal, Cher Ndour didn’t follow De Ketelaere, while on the second we were all sluggish. We lack street smarts, such as in the game with Inter where we threw it away.”
Fiorentina could’ve been traumatised by that defeat at San Siro, a game they were winning 1-0 only to lose 2-1 with two goals conceded in added time.
Vanoli was asked if taking Niccolò Fagioli off at half-time was a tactical decision and he confirmed that it was not down to fitness issues.
Fiorentina, Udinese and Parma are all locked together on five points, with only Venezia behind them at rock bottom on three.
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