Goretti: ‘Fiorentina did not turn up, we cannot accept relegation’

Key Highlights

• We asked them to turn up and they did, but perhaps we didn’t.“We can only keep working and recognise we have everything it takes to resolve some of these evident blackouts that the team has.”SASSUOLO, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Tarik Muharemovic of US Sassuolo Calcio scores his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and ACF Fiorentina at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on December 06, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy.
• (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/)The fans did accept Edin Dzeko’s plea to keep supporting them during the match, as circa 4,000 came to Reggio Emilia today and kept singing to the final whistle. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, after that they let loose, chanting that the team was ‘laughable’ while they stood and accepted the abuse.“We had seen some progress in recent matches, but today we took another backwards step,” confessed Goretti.“Every time we just pumped predictable crosses into the box, it showed there isn’t the right connection between players, you can see the lack of confidence.“We are now forced to deal with a very, very difficult situation, but we cannot give up now.
• We cannot cede more territory, we cannot accept relegation.”SASSUOLO, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Paolo Vanoli, Head Coach of ACF Fiorentina, poses for a photo with Fabio Grosso, Head Coach of US Sassuolo Calcio, prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and ACF Fiorentina at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on December 06, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy.
• (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/)AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIncredibly, Fiorentina are 25 points worse off than at this stage last season in Serie A. They must also face the statistic that no team has ever gone without victory in the opening 14 rounds and managed to avoid relegation. Vanoli is the third coach of the campaign after Stefano Pioli was sacked, and one Conference League match under caretaker manager Daniele Galloppa.“We need to analyse everything with the right critical spirit, which at times means drastic decisions.
• We’ve got to understand the situation, be realistic, and know how to act.“The coach is confirmed in his place, though.”A sign of the tension within the squad was also evident when Kean and Mandragora argued over who was meant to take the penalty, until captain Luca Ranieri stepped in to lead the striker away.“I didn’t like that and it is not the first time it has happened, so I didn’t like it even more,” concluded Goretti.