Vanoli: Fiorentina ‘improving’ despite 2-1 loss vs. Inter

MILAN, ITALY - OCTOBER 25: Paolo Vanoli, Manager of ACF Fiorentina, reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 25, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli feels his team is ‘improving’ despite a 2-1 away defeat at Inter: ‘We must keep our heads held high.’

The Tuscans took the lead in the second half with a stunning goal from Alex Jimenez, but late strikes from Marcus Thuram and Piotr Zielinski gave Inter all three points at San Siro in Sunday’s Serie A lunchtime game.

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“We knew Inter were strong, but I think we played a great game,” Vanoli told DAZN.

“We have improved in many aspects. Obviously, we had a couple of chances to score the second. This isn’t the first time Inter have made a comeback. We need to realise that we are improving. I’m sorry for the lads because they deserved an important win. We must keep our heads held high and keep this up.

“We must not look to last season. We are looking for the right suit. We are trying to win at all costs; the table doesn’t look pretty, and it makes things hectic, but I think this team is becoming a team and must keep going like this,” continued the Fiorentina coach.

“Going forward, I think these can be important games. Then the result determines morale, and we must look for it. Since I arrived, we have deserved more in some games, including against Genoa. We met a strong team today; we held on, and we understood that we can do well.”

Vanoli also explained why he replaced Jimenez and Mastantuono in the second half, introducing Dodo and Wilfried Gnonto, even if Inter had been struggling on that side of the pitch: “That is why I brought on two fresh players. I brought on Dodo and Willy because I thought Inter would struggle and force Mkhitaryan to track back,” the Viola coach said.