Palladino: ‘Fiorentina enthusiasm boosted’ despite painful 2-1 defeat to Napoli

NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 09: Raffaele Palladino, Head Coach of Fiorentina, reacts during the Serie A match between Napoli and Fiorentina at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 09, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino believes the performance against Napoli should ‘boost our enthusiasm’ despite the 2-1 defeat. ‘We knew it was going to be a risk.’

The Viola continue their dire recent form, which has seen them lose five of their last six competitive matches, interrupted only by a 1-0 win over Lecce.

The fatigue of Thursday’s 3-2 Conference League defeat to Panathinaikos in Athens also took its toll, but they battled to the bitter end at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Albert Gudmundsson on a Moise Kean back-heel flick assist kept the pressure up to the end, but the Romelu Lukaku and Giacomo Raspadori goals proved enough for a Napoli victory.

Palladino saw Fiorentina progress

“We were up against a very strong team, which was built to win the Scudetto,” Palladino told DAZN.

“Fiorentina came here with great courage and character, putting in a strong performance. Although we were behind in the first half, we were still in the game, then caused huge problems for a very strong opponent after the break.

“I need to work with the team, but we can build on this and boost our enthusiasm. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. There is a real Final coming up on Thursday.”

Recent results have seen Fiorentina slide five points behind sixth-placed Bologna and even qualifying for Europe is starting to look increasingly complicated.

Part of the trouble is that the Viola had quite a few injuries over the course of the campaign, including for some of their January signings.

“Nicolò Fagioli is growing day by day, I think he’s a champion, as he has such great technique and football vision. He is raising our level and we needed that,” continued Palladino.

“Gudmundsson was sorely missed during the season, unfortunately he was out for so much with injuries. We are getting him back in shape, but we still need to get Folorunsho, Colpani and Adli back too.”

Palladino was asked about some of his substitutions, as he took off centre-backs Pietro Comuzzo and Luca Ranieri.

“We accepted defensive duels, knowing that it was going to be a risk. Comuzzo had cramp, while Ranieri has played a lot too this season. They were not injuries, but I felt they needed some rest.”