Pioli: ‘Dzeko is ready for Fiorentina, different to Kean’ | OneFootball

Stefano Pioli insists Edin Dzeko is ‘ready’ to lead the Fiorentina attack in the Conference League play-off with Polissya, even if he is a ‘different’ striker to Moise Kean.

The first leg put them in good stead with a 3-0 ‘away’ victory and the decider kicks off on Thursday at 19.00 UK time (18.00 GMT).

Curiously, this too will be on neutral turf, as the Stadio Artemio Franchi is undergoing reconstruction work, so it is hosted by Sassuolo’s Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia.

Kean scored and was sent off in that first match, so is suspended here, meaning Dzeko is expected to start.

Pioli rings the changes for Fiorentina

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 03: Stefano Pioli, Head Coach of Fiorentina gives instructions during the pre-season friendly match between Leicester City and ACF Fiorentina at The King Power Stadium on August 03, 2025 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

“Dzeko had a few issues last week, but he trained well and is ready to play,” said Pioli in a press conference.

“He is different type of centre-forward to Kean, but tomorrow he can both manoeuvre with his teammates dropping deeper and hold up the ball at different times. We can do a bit of everything.”

New signing Roberto Piccoli is not yet registered for the Conference League, so he will have to wait for his debut.

“Piccoli brings different characteristics, he can hold up the ball and get into the box. We want players like him, who are convinced they made the right choice by coming to Florence. He has the right attitude.”

With so few days left until the transfer deadline, are the Viola looking to bring in more new buys?

“I was clear with the club that if we can find players who are functional to the project, then that’s good, otherwise we can stay as we are.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – MAY 18: Pietro Comuzzo of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Bologna at Stadio Artemio Franchi on May 18, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Pietro Comuzzo received and rejected a proposal from Al-Hilal worth a reported €35m, just hours before this crucial Conference League play-off.

“Along with being difficult to work with the transfer window still open, it’s also wrong and I don’t understand why it has to be this way,” complained Pioli.

“Naturally, this weighed on Pietro over the last few days, and he received many phone calls. However, I can say we are fully concentrated on tomorrow’s match.”

Fiorentina opened their Serie A campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Cagliari, where they were held deep into stoppages by a late equaliser, so cannot afford another slip-up.

“I will make some changes, as it is our third game in a week and on Sunday we’ll have our fourth away match in a row. We will be balanced and ready for the game,” added Pioli.

“I am focused at the moment on finding the right balance in the team, then as we go forward, we can think about the details more. I also told the lads to be wary of Polissya changing things, so we’ve got to be on our toes, especially at the start.

“This is the joy of European football, studying to find something new. It’s tempting for teams to go into these ties thinking they are just better, but that’s not the case, you have to earn your place. Football seems like a simple sport, but it can evolve very quickly.”