Palladino: ‘Kean fired up, Fiorentina courage against Real Betis’ | OneFootball

Raffaele Palladino hinted at the Fiorentina starting XI in the Conference League semi-final against Real Betis, with Moise Kean ‘fired up’ and the coach warning they need ‘courage.’

The first leg kicks off on Thursday at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in Seville, at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT, 21.00 CET).

It is the third consecutive Conference League semi-final for the Viola, who lost the first two Finals under Vincenzo Italiano, but Palladino is hoping to do even better.

They must get past Real Betis first and the big question is over the presence of star striker Kean, who has been out of action for a week while dealing with a family matter.

Palladino update on Kean status

FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 13: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina reacts after a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Panathinaikos FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“Moise returned yesterday, he trained, I talked to him, he is calm and fired up to play,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia.

“Obviously, I have to consider many elements, as he was away for a week, but he returned with great hunger. We have a very important game tomorrow, but also Roma and then the second leg next week.

“The squad is doing well, we are fired up and highly motivated to put in a great performance tomorrow evening.”

Fiorentina are certainly without Dodo, as the full-back underwent surgery for appendicitis last week.

“Dodo is having a great season, so obviously we miss him, but he is recovering and today resumed running in training. Folorunsho filled in really well against Empoli when adapted to that position, while Parisi can also play there, so we’re covered.”

Palladino 30 years younger than Betis coach

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Raffaele Palladino, Head Coach of Fiorentina, speaks with David De Gea of Fiorentina during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 05, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Real Betis are managed by legendary coach Manuel Pellegrini, who is 30 years older than Palladino and therefore has an extraordinary amount of experience.

“The quality of our opponents speaks for itself, they are mature, have players who are accustomed to the top level and their coach has over 1,000 games in his career, so it’s wonderful to face him,” noted Palladino.

“There are many dangers, we are in their stadium, they like to keep a lot of possession, are just one point off the Champions League places in LaLiga and are having a great season.

“The biggest mistake tomorrow would be to play without courage and character. We know this is one of the most passionate atmospheres in Spain, but we talked about it and we are ready to have our say.”

This is Palladino’s first experience of European football as a coach, having taken over from Italiano last summer, but he has taken Fiorentina to the semi-final and is eyeing silverware.

“I am honestly not particularly emotional. I am pleased for the lads, because after a very difficult and intriguing campaign, they deserved the opportunity to play against a strong team. We know it will be tough, but our dream is to go all the way in the Conference League and that is why we are here,” concluded the coach.

The other semi-final is between Djurgarden and Chelsea.