Vanoli frustrated by Fiorentina: ‘Mentality was all wrong again’ | OneFootball

Paolo Vanoli hit out at Fiorentina after their 3-0 defeat to Udinese, warning it ‘felt like a continuation’ of their Conference League play-off with Jagiellonia.

The Viola had been on a strong run of form, but lost twice in the space of a few days, even if on Thursday they still scraped into the Conference League Round of 16 past Jagiellonia in extra time, despite fumbling a 3-0 first leg advantage.

That match already showed signs of trouble, which were confirmed in Udine with a 3-0 defeat.

Vanoli sees old Fiorentina problems return

UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 02: Christian Kabasele of Udinese scores his team’s first goal with a header during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Friuli on March 02, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

“Udinese are a very physical team, so if we are always late to the knockdowns, we are making life easier for them,” Vanoli told DAZN Italia.

“It felt like a continuation of the game in the Conference League, the mentality was all wrong again. The players need to take a good, hard look at themselves, because it takes a long time to build something up, and a mere moment to destroy it.”

Daniele Rugani was thrown straight into the starting XI for his Fiorentina debut and it was disastrous, because he slipped for the Christian Kabasele free header, gave away the Keinan Davis penalty, and was shrugged off by Adam Buksa for the third goal.

UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 02: Fiorentina manager Paolo Vanoli reacts during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Friuli on March 02, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

“I knew Rugani would struggle to last 90 minutes after so long out of action, but he did well to get to the end. He can’t find form or fitness if he doesn’t play. I am convinced he will give a strong contribution in the coming weeks,” noted Vanoli.

Instead, the coach turned his ire towards other Fiorentina players and the overall attitude of the squad.

“We never ran into the spaces, we passed the ball around too slowly, and this is not good enough.

“The statistics showed we didn’t have a single shot on target, plus we suffered defending on set plays and showed a lack of concentration.

“We will get nowhere without determination, and clearly in that sense we have not progressed, because we must increase our desire to not concede goals.”

UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 02: Moise Kean of Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Friuli on March 02, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

There was also an additional injury concern, as Vanoli confirmed Moise Kean asked to be substituted after a knock to the tibia.

This is the first Fiorentina defeat in Serie A since their 2-1 loss at Napoli on January 31, and it leaves them level on 24 points with Cremonese and Lecce.

The only teams behind them in the table are Pisa and Verona, joint rock bottom on 15 points, so it looks as if there is one more relegation spot still to be assigned.

“The table is tightening up, games are coming along where the mentality is going to make the difference.”