Vanoli: ‘Fiorentina were exceptional, motivation and desire made difference’ | OneFootball

Paolo Vanoli thanked his ‘exceptional’ Fiorentina side after holding leaders Inter to a 1-1 draw. ‘Motivation and desire made the difference’ after a stressful week.

This has been a remarkable week for the Viola, who beat Cremonese 4-1 on Monday to break clear of the relegation zone, then won 2-1 in Poland against Rakow on Thursday to reach the Conference League quarter-finals.

They had it all to do here tonight, going behind within 40 seconds to a Francesco Pio Esposito free header, but Cher Ndour was ready to meet the rebound from Yann Sommer’s save on Albert Gudmundsson to hold leaders Inter 1-1.

Vanoli proud of Fiorentina fightback

FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 22: Cher Ndour of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Artemio Franchi on March 22, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“I congratulated my lads, because it was the fifth game in 14 days, above all the third in a week. They were exceptional, so was my whole staff, because the fact we ended the game in crescendo shows how well we’re working,” Vanoli told DAZN Italia.

“Conceding the goal that early destabilised us, but we got back on track. We often struggled in the fifth game in a row, but this time the motivation and desire made the difference.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 22: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Artemio Franchi on March 22, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

This result means that Fiorentina are now in 16th place, but only two points clear of both Lecce and Cremonese, so the battle to avoid joining doomed Verona and Pisa could go down to the wire.

“I’ve always said this team has to play football in order to save itself,” continued Vanoli.

“Changing objective to fighting relegation is tough to handle, especially in such a demanding environment as Florence. We’ve built up over time, now we have another very important game coming up against Verona.

“We are improving in our shape, I feel we can do better down the left flank with Gudmundsson, but where we have really done well now is to get shots and crosses from the edge of the area. I felt today where we really impressed was out of possession, not allowing those passes to reach the strikers.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 22: Head coach Paolo Vanoli manager of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Artemio Franchi on March 22, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Fiorentina also have a Conference League quarter-final to prepare for against Crystal Palace, so it is going to be a busy end to the season, not to mention how many players are going off on international duty now.

“I wished Kean all the best, as he will represent Italy in these two very important matches. After 60 minutes on Thursday, he played almost the full 90 today, so his form is improving. I really liked him chasing the ball today, he put in the effort.”