FLORENCE, ITALY – MAY 8: Head coach Raffaele Palladino manager of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Real Betis Balompie at Artemio Franchi on May 8, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Raffaele Palladino admits Fiorentina have ‘disappointment and regret’ after their extra time Conference League semi-final defeat to Real Betis, analysing where it all went wrong over the two legs.
The Viola knew they had it all to do after losing the first leg 2-1 in Seville, and it got worse when they conceded at the Stadio Franchi from an Antony free kick off the inside of the upright.
However, they had managed to turn it around before half-time with a pair of Robin Gosens header on corner kicks, forcing extra time at 3-3 on aggregate.
The man who opened the scoring in Spain came off the bench and won the tie, as Abde Ezzalzouli turned in the Antony roll across to send Betis into the Conference League Final.
They will face Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea in Wroclaw on May 28, as there is no dream of a third consecutive Conference League Final for Fiorentina.
Palladino regrets Fiorentina errors over both legs
“There is disappointment and regret, because we had prepared well for this match, but they have many champions and we saw one of them with that free kick.
“We did well to turn it around and lead 2-1, we had chances to score a third and didn’t take them, then in extra time we conceded that goal where we could’ve done better on the long kick from their goalkeeper,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia with what remained of his voice after these tense 120 minutes.
“I could not really have asked for anything more from my lads, they fought hard and showed heart, we threw on every forward we had left. There are regrets, but I am proud of my lads, they gave their all to the very end.
“It was a game in front of our fans, we wanted to reach the Final and unfortunately we didn’t do it. Now we have to turn the page and focus on Serie A, as we must end the season well, because we can improve our current position.”
Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Fiorentina 2-2 Real Betis
The decisive goal in extra time was not dissimilar to one scored in the first leg, where the defenders were caught out by the long ball.
“In football there are individual duels, defenders must always be pessimistic and unfortunately Marin Pongracic had a moment of hesitation that proved costly. We had a similar issue in the first leg (with Parisi).
“We took away their possession football, so they focused on long balls. We had practiced in training with these situations over the week. I hope it will serve as a lesson that if we want to reach the Final, we must pay attention to even the tiniest detail, because they make the difference.”
Palladino explains tension with Fagioli
There was some awkwardness just before the end of normal time when Nicoló Fagioli was visibly angry at being substituted, shaking his head and then openly arguing with the coach, asking why he was being replaced.
“Nicoló played 88 minutes, I took him off at the end to bring some fresh legs and vitality off the bench. I believe in all my players, I am sorry to see him disappointed, but he has teammates who can make an impact,” explained Palladino.
“He had just been booked too, I didn’t want to end the game with 10 men. I had already changed one midfielder with Adli, so I thought Folorunsho could give us more physicality as a mezz’ala.”
Fiorentina had perhaps seen this result coming, which is why they announced that Palladino had signed a contract extension to 2027 just hours before the second leg of this semi-final.
It was a show of faith in the coach and belief that they are on the right track, after Vincenzo Italiano had reached two Conference League Finals and a Coppa Italia Final in the previous two campaigns.
“Undoubtedly, this is a painful wound for the team and I must now do well to steer them through. We’ve had other disappointments, this is a group of great men and I am sure they will be able to react straight away,” continued Palladino.
“The season is still going and anything can still happen in Serie A, as there are so many teams fighting for those European places and there are quite a few head-to-head matches left to play.
“Nobody will sleep tonight, but we’ve got to try to get over it as quickly as possible.”
