FLORENCE, ITALY – OCTOBER 29: Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli reacts on the pitch at Stadio Artemio Franchi during the Serie A clash with Atalanta. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Vanoli expressed irritation at his side’s lack of cohesion in defence after the 2-2 stalemate with Atalanta, insisting the squad’s quality must be matched by collective effort.
The Viola entered the match rattled by three straight defeats and slipped into a 1-0 deficit at halftime following a Charles De Ketelaere strike, despite a promising first‑half display.
They rallied, equalising through Alieu Njie’s diving header and a deflected effort from Joao Mario, before Nicola Zalewski completed the 2‑2 finish.
Vanoli’s frustration underscores a deeper tactical crisis at the club.
“The disappointment lies in not converting a dominant performance into three points,” Vanoli told DAZN Italia.
“These lapses are costing us dearly. We can’t keep conceding like this. The comeback was welcome, yet we need sharper mental resolve when defending,” he added.
The lineup featured a surprise full‑back appearance by Joao Mario, a gamble that paid off with his goal contribution.
We play attractive football, but we’re missing the defensive discipline required at this level – that’s our biggest shortfall, Vanoli observed.
Those two goals felt like freebies to Atalanta. Every match is a puzzle; we have plenty to improve. Talent isn’t the issue, but Italian football demands a unified back line, he said.
On the first goal, Cher Ndour failed to track De Ketelaere, and on the second the whole unit was sluggish. We lack the street‑smarts we showed against Inter, Vanoli admitted.
Fiorentina could have been crushed at San Siro, turning a 1‑0 lead into a 2‑1 loss after two late goals in added time.
When asked about Niccolò Fagioli’s halftime substitution, Vanoli confirmed it was tactical, not fitness‑related.
Fiorentina, Udinese and Parma sit level on five points, with Venezia anchoring the bottom with three.