Italiano on Fiorentina hunger in Europe as Mandragora talks ‘biggest regret’ | OneFootball

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano opened up about the Viola’s ambitions in the Conference League whilst Rolando Mandragora reflected on the ‘biggest regret’ of his career.

The Viola were just a step away from lifting the Conference League trophy last season, having impressed in their run to the final, but they fell at the last hurdle to David Moyes’ West Ham, breaking hearts in Florence.

This season, Fiorentina have progressed to the Conference League knockout stages, where they secured a tense 4-3 win over Maccabi Haifa in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie. The Viola are now gearing up to host the Israeli side in their return clash on Thursday.

Speaking in a press conference via TMW, Italiano first discussed what he asked of his Fiorentina squad for the return leg with Maccabi Haifa.

“They will come here to go strong and overturn the result, we will have to be ready because the opponents are worthy. We deservedly won the first leg but the match is open.

“We have a small advantage and we must exploit it. We will have to be ready. I am convinced that we will not get the approach wrong.”

He reflected on the Viola’s work in the Conference League last term.

“Last year’s journey was amazing, above all because we never tried to manage and we always entered the pitch to win.

“This allowed us to get to the end, no one prepares the matches to manage things, we have to do what we did in the first leg, knowing that we can still exploit the advantage.

“Taking the lead would be important, but if we want to get to the end we must never let our guard down. What we have prepared is very similar to the first leg.”

Italiano was then asked if his future was linked to winning a trophy at Fiorentina.

“I spoke about it with the club and the club is aware of my thoughts. Now we have to stay focused on our objectives and on remaining attached to all competitions. Then we’ll see later.

“I would sign up to win a trophy and give the president a trophy. I hope to finish as high as possible at the end of the season, winning a trophy would be nice to be able to dedicate it to the president.”

Mandragora then spoke in the press conference, discussing his preparations for the match.

“We are preparing it as an important match, we have a great desire to move on. We are ahead, but we must play the match as usual, without making a mistake in our approach.”

He was asked if these weeks were decisive for the Viola squad.

“We are aware of it. This month is very important, we have prepared for it and we want to get results. Tomorrow is the Conference League, then we will think about the league and the Coppa Italia. We will do everything to fight on all fronts.”

Finally, Mandragora was asked about Fiorentina’s loss to West Ham in the Conference League final last season and his missed chance.

“I think about it and right now it’s the biggest regret of my career. I’m sorry but I’ve overcome it because I’m motivated to do better on the next chances, which I’m sure will come my way.

“I want to do everything I can to get to another final, we want to get there. I’m sorry, I wanted to do better, I hope to do it again in the future.”