FLORENCE (ITALPRESS) – All or nothing, the challenge scheduled next Friday at the Stadio Franchi in Florence against Lecce represents for Raffaele Palladino the crucial junction of his future on the Gigliata bench. In the city that was the birthplace of Dante Alighieri, in case of a purple success for him it will still be paradise, and therefore the possibility of playing for a placement with Fiorentina for the next European cups, in case of a draw or worse still defeat, it will be hell, and therefore there are those who speculate even his exoneration. Purgatory does not seem to be contemplated. “It is an objective fact that the last three games we have lost however until twenty days ago we had won at home with Inter and everything seemed rosy. It seems to me that the criticism, negativity and pessimism are a bit exaggerated towards this team,” Palladino defended himself on the eve of the challenge with Marco Giampaolo’s men. “Fiorentina in the last five years on the 26th day has never been sixth in the standings and has never had in the numbers a better defense than this one.” “Criticism,” added the purple coach, “we accept it, I’m not saying we have to party here however there is to contextualize everything, there is to take the path we are on, to think about where we could get to, because it is a shame to throw away everything that has been done and that we are doing, the many players we are recovering and that we have enhanced, the many positive things done. I know where Fiorentina can arrive, I know that we have to continue like this, there are definitely things to improve because it hurts us to lose and I am the first one who feels bad when it happens, but we need time for the team to find the right square, without forgetting that it is a period with so many injuries.” Saying that in the last few days he has not heard from President Commisso (“I’ve been focusing on working with the boys since it’s a short week, surely I’ll have a chance to do so”), when asked if he feels lonely at the moment, in light of the fact that no lily-headed executive has publicly defended him after the third consecutive defeat he suffered last Sunday, Palladino said no, arguing why. “Macchè solo, I was having lunch with director Pradè until just now. Why do you always have to find the criticism and the negative thing? Here nobody is alone, we are all together in the same boat, you journalists first. If Fiorentina goes bad, you go bad too, the fans go bad too, not just Palladino and the players, everyone goes bad. Pessimism and negativity are not good. With Pradè there is a great relationship of dialogue, esteem and also friendship,” Palladino added. “Then you can believe it or not…What should I do, should I come here together with the director? I come here to put my face to it, then if you guys next week ask me the same thing, we are always here point and shoot. I swear, with the society there is great esteem. Then if the results don’t come it’s very right that the coach is criticized and the club makes its evaluations.” Palladino says he is determined to face this moment with “Great motivation to give a hand to the boys, the club and the fans” and stresses, “No one wants to lose, no one accepts defeat with Verona or Como, we must have an ambitious mentality.” “I’m growing more in these 6-7 months than in the two years I spent in Monza where everything was very ‘simpleè because we didn’t go through difficult moments. This is a period of growth for everyone, I work day and night for Fiorentina, I will try my best to find a solution. We have already fallen twice, last August and in the middle of the championship, now we want to get back up. I am sure that together with the boys we will get back to doing well.” Against Lecce, however, a turnaround is needed. “It was not a pleasant week especially in these last two-three days because when you lose like in Veroma it hurts, you have to analyze the reasons and understand why the defeat and the negative trend. Together with the guys we analyzed, talked, discussed, there was a confrontation from all points of view and as always we also worked on the field. We want to get out of this situation that we are not happy with, we want to do it with all the strength, energy and weapons we have. I am sure that the boys on Friday night will put everything they have on the field. Defeats must make you stronger inside,” concluded Palladino.- Photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
