Paolo Vanoli acknowledges Fiorentina's fragility after a 4-0 loss to Roma, noting the team's significant progress since his arrival. The defeat comes after Cremonese's loss, ensuring Fiorentina's safety from relegation.
Key points
Paolo Vanoli comments on Fiorentina's fragility
Fiorentina lost 4-0 to Roma
Cremonese's loss secures Fiorentina's safety from relegation
Fiorentina was at the bottom of the league when Vanoli arrived
FiorentinaRomaCremoneseSerie A
Vanoli: âFiorentina still fragile, it was a catastrophe when I arrivedâ
Vanoli: âFiorentina still fragile, it was a catastrophe when I arrivedâ
Paolo Vanoli admits Fiorentina still look âfragileâ after a 4-0 defeat to Roma, but mustnât forget how far theyâve come. âIt really was a catastrophe when I arrived.â
It is entirely possible that Fiorentina started the match breathing a sigh of relief, because just minutes before taking to the field, they heard that Cremonese had lost 2-1 at home to Lazio.
That almost guarantees that the Tuscans are safe from the threat of relegation, a remarkable achievement considering they were rock bottom when Vanoli took the job.
Vanoli sees same Fiorentina issues
ROME, ITALY â MAY 04: Jack Harrison of ACF Fiorentina and Wesley of AS Roma battle for possession of the ball during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
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âThe fact is, we switched off completely after their first goal, also thanks to a great performance from Roma, so we must congratulate them this evening.â
The Viola looked shell-shocked in the opening minutes at the Stadio Olimpico, going 2-0 down within 17 minutes with a Gianluca Mancini free header and Wesley sweeping in, then Mario Hermosoâs tap-in and another header by Niccolò Pisilli completed the 4-0 rout.
ROME, ITALY â MAY 04: Wesley of AS Roma celebrates scoring his teamâs second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
âWeâve had a great run to get here, weâve got to keep our heads up, because mistakes happen and at times this fragility comes back out, like it did against Udinese.â
When already 3-0 down, the Fiorentina coach took a risk and introduced youth team striker Riccardo Braschi, who within 60 seconds had thumped the base of the upright.
Considering Moise Kean and Roberto Piccoli are out injured, could the teenager get more opportunity for the rest of this season?
âI wouldâve been happier for him if he had scored, but we had many young players with us this season and Iâve always tried to give them a chance. You need to let these lads grow, he is working hard in training and showed some of what he can do tonight.â
Braschi replaced Albert Gudmundsson at half-time, who continues to look like a shadow of the player who was signed from Genoa.
ROME, ITALY â MAY 04: Albert Gudmundsson of ACF Fiorentina passes the ball while under pressure from Bryan Cristante of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
âIt is not all his fault, because heâs been moved around in a few different positions lately. If he was supporting a centre-forward, it would go better for him, but we were in an emergency situation and he has been helping out,â insisted Vanoli.
âI think he played well against Sassuolo and if he had scored, people mightâve evaluated his performance differently.â
Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici said before kick-off that he would sit down with Vanoli to discuss the future after safety had been secured, as it remains unlikely that he will stay on as coach.
âWeâll discuss it once we are guaranteed safety. I said when I arrived that avoiding relegation was going to be our Scudetto, we are nearly there and just need that final push to close the situation completely.
âWe must be focused exclusively on the present and the remaining games,â added Vanoli.
If he was replaced after climbing the table in difficult circumstances, would he consider it an injustice?
âAbsolutely not! A club has to make its evaluations, and when I arrived everyone was frightened by the prospect of relegation, it really was a catastrophe. We had four points and nobody had managed to avoid the drop with zero victories in the first 11 rounds.
âThe job is not done, then the club and I too will evaluate for the future. As Iâve always said, I would be happy to continue the process,â concluded the coach.