Paolo Vanoli took Moise Kean’s angry reaction to being substituted during Fiorentina’s 2-1 Conference League win over Rakow as a positive sign rather than a disciplinary concern, insisting the striker’s frustration simply reflected how desperately he wanted to help his side reach the quarter-finals.
“I am happy because he is an important player,” Vanoli told Sky Sport after the match, with quotes via CalcioMercato.
“When there is that anger and that desire to play, it means he wanted to be there and to help. But I am the coach, and I also have to understand that he is a key player and that we still have nine finals and a passage through the round to think about.”
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)
Vanoli concedes tough game for Fiorentina at Rakow but focuses on challenges ahead
Vanoli was also candid about a difficult first half in which Fiorentina struggled to find their rhythm on a heavy pitch.
“We wanted to play but the surface did not allow it, we were arriving late to second balls and were slow to understand how to get the qualification over the line,” he admitted.
The second half, however, told a very different story, with the Viola coming from behind to seal the win. “This team now has a plus, they know how to react.”
On Kean’s broader value, Vanoli was unequivocal, and his words carry obvious relevance for Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso ahead of the World Cup playoffs.
“The national team coach is better than me, he knows perfectly well that Moise is an important player who wants to help both Fiorentina and the national team. He is a player Italy will need.”
Fiorentina are through to the Conference League quarter-finals after Cher Ndour’s deflected effort and a Marin Pongracic goal from his own half beat Rakow.
They will face either Crystal Palace or AEK Larnaca, as that Round of 16 tie is going to extra time.
The Viola had a slender 2-1 first leg lead thanks to the last-gasp Albert Gudmundsson penalty in this Round of 16. Moise Kean returned from injury for his first start since March 2, with Niccolò Fortini, Manor Solomon, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey injured. Rakow finished second in the league phase of the tournament and won the Polish title in 2023, but again left top scorer Lamine Diaby-Fadiga initially on the bench.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Paolo Vanoli of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Jagiellonia Bialystok at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 26, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Kean made an immediate impact, cutting inside from the left after three minutes for two shots charged down from close range by Stratos Svarnas.
Ivi Lopez tested Oliver Christensen with a free kick at the near post, but the hosts lost Fran Tudor to injury after just 19 minutes.
When Lopez pulled back from the by-line for Jonatan Braut Brunes, the finish from six yards was charged down by Giovanni Fabbian.
Nicolò Fagioli floated a ball over the top for Kean to volley straight at the goalkeeper, then the midfielder went for goal himself on a Fabiano Parisi cross on the stroke of half-time, forcing a save under the crossbar.
Within 22 seconds of the restart, Rakow had taken the lead on the night, drawing level on aggregate 2-2. Karol Struski cut inside Cher Ndour from the left and drilled hard and low into the near bottom corner, surprising Christensen.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Stratos Svarnas of Rakow Czestochowa battles for the ball with Fabiano Parisi of ACF Fiorentina during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Svarnas threw himself in the way of a Giovanni Fabbian strike, with Ndour nodded over from the resulting corner.
The Viola started to pour forward and rack up a series of corners, Ndour unable to tap in from six yards, then Parisi stinging Oliwier Zych’s gloves from the edge of the area.
Roberto Piccoli came so close on 67 minutes when nodding the Robin Gosens cross onto the base of the upright from point-blank range.
The pressure paid off, as after good work from Parisi, the Ndour strike from the edge of the box took a big deflection off teammate Piccoli to wrongfoot the goalkeeper and slot into the far bottom corner, restoring Fiorentina’s advantage on aggregate.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Cher Ndour of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Viola kept pushing anyway to consolidate their lead overall, Piccoli firing wide from close range and Parisi’s strike skimming the near post.
Zych also had to fly to palm the Fagioli curler out of the top corner from the edge of the area, but there was a huge scare when the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty. He changed his mind following the VAR review and instead booked Brunes for the obvious dive, as there was no contact with Christensen.
Fiorentina were under siege in stoppages, with even Zych going up for a set play, but this left the goal unprotected, and Marin Pongracic on the counter-attack intelligently passed it into the empty net from inside his own half.
The Viola have a 2-1 first leg lead in this Round of 16 tie, thanks to the late Albert Gudmundsson penalty after goals from Cher Ndour and Jonatan Braut Brunes at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Fiorentina turn focus to Conference League
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 16: Dodo of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring the 0-3 goal during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 16, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
“The Conference League is a tournament where we want to go as far as possible, and have also an opportunity to shrug off the worries of Serie A this season,” Ferrari told Sky Sport Italia.
“We’ve seen how difficult it is in European football, so nothing can be taken for granted.”
Moise Kean was only expected to be on the bench after an ankle injury, but he gets his first start since March 2, and only the second start of the Conference League proper.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina scores a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Artemio Franchi on February 7, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“The team had one approach up until January, then changed gear after that. We hope that there was progress in dealing with situations, understanding the issues, but also we’ve seen how easy it is to fall back into bad habits. Hopefully we have learned to focus on just one game at a time and take nothing for granted.”
Today is a special commemoration for Fiorentina, as it is two years since the death of director Joe Barone, who had come so close to winning the Conference League, losing two Finals.
“Barone left an enormous mark on us all. Rocco Commisso put in the money for the Viola Park, Barone had the tenacity and determination to get it built. He is missed not just by Fiorentina, but by the world of sport, and he will always be with us.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Cher Ndour of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Viola came back from a goal down to win the first leg 2-1 thanks to a last-gasp Albert Gudmundsson penalty, so have a slender lead going to Poland.
They are also fresh from a morale-boosting 4-1 Serie A victory over Cremonese that took them away from the relegation zone.
Moise Kean returns to the starting XI, while Niccolò Fortini, Manor Solomon, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey are injured.
Robin Gosens is rested after a knock to the ribs, as Harrison and Jacopo Fazzini complete the attack.
Marin Pongracic returns after missing the first leg through suspension, but is only on the bench.
It’s going to be an emotional day for Fiorentina, as it is two years ago that director Joe Barone died of a heart attack.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Ivi Lopez of Rakow Czestochowa battles for the ball with Pietro Comuzzo of ACF Fiorentina during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Rakow have never reached a UEFA quarter-final, so if they do manage to get past the Viola, it will be an historic event.
They’ve impressed in the Conference League so far, finishing second in the league phase, having won the Polish title in 2023.
Jonatan Braut Brunes was rested at the weekend to lead the line here, as he is the cousin of Erling Braut Haaland and scored at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in the first leg.
Lamine Diaby-Fadiga remains their top scorer in the Conference League this season with six goals in 12 games.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Stratos Svarnas of Rakow Czestochowa battles for the ball with Fabiano Parisi of ACF Fiorentina during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Sky Sport Italia reports that Hakan Calhanoglu will be available for Inter’s away game at Fiorentina on Sunday, while Italy international Alessandro Bastoni could return to group training tomorrow.
Inter are preparing for Sunday’s away game at Fiorentina, and Sky Sport Italia provides the latest injury updates for the Nerazzurri.
Latest Inter injury updates
Calhanoglu has recovered from a calf injury and will be available for selection against Fiorentina.
Serie A’s top goalscorer, Lautaro Martinez, on the other hand, has intensified the workload but has continued to work separately.
If the Argentina international doesn’t return to group training in the next two days, he’ll be ruled out of the next league match.
Italy international Bastoni suffered an injury in the Milan derby and missed the most recent match against Atalanta.
Sky Sport reports that the Italian has partially worked with the team over the last few days, and that he could join his teammates for a full training session tomorrow.
BARI, ITALY – AUGUST 16: Alessandro Bastoni of Inter during Pre-Season Friendly match between FC Internazionale and Olympiacos FC at Stadio San Nicola on August 16, 2025 in Bari, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
If that is the case, Bastoni will be given the green light for the Fiorentina game as well as Italy’s World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland on March 26.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Inter competes for the ball with Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Last but not least, Mkhitaryan won’t be available against Fiorentina as he aims to return to action after the break, probably in a home match against his former club, Roma, on Easter.
Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici has reportedly sounded out Fabio Maresca’s availability for next season, but the ex-Chelsea coach is expected to hold out for a Premier League opportunity, particularly from Manchester City if Pep Guardiola departs.
Fiorentina director Paratici has explored Maresca’s availability for next season, according to a report from TMW.
Fiorentina director Paratici calls Maresca
Maresca has been without a club since the start of January, when he left Chelsea by mutual consent, months after winning the Conference League and the Club World Cup.
According to the report, Paratici has contacted Maresca in recent days, but the Italian tactician remains an unlikely candidate for the job at the Stadio Franchi next season.
Maresca, in fact, will likely wait for offers from the Premier League, particularly from Manchester City if Pep Guardiola were to leave at the end of the season.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 8: Fabio Paratici of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Parma Calcio 1913 at Artemio Franchi on March 8, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Maresca already worked in Guardiola’s Manchester City staff and has built a solid bond with the Spanish tactician.
COBHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 08: Enzo Maresca, manager of Chelsea FC looks on during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on December 08, 2025 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images)
Tuttomercato adds that Maresca would only consider offers from Juventus and Napoli in Serie A, but the Italian giants are expected to continue with Luciano Spalletti and Antonio Conte, respectively, next season.
Fiorentina have travelled to Poland without the injured Manor Solomon, Tariq Lamptey, Luca Lezzerini and Niccolò Fortini, as well as Marco Brescianini and Daniele Rugani, who are not part of the Fiorentina UEFA squad.
Multiple sources claim that Roberto Piccoli will once again lead the Fiorentina attack as Italy star Kean is available, but will start on the bench.
David de Gea is also expected to rest, making room for Oliver Christensen between the sticks.
According to Gazzetta and Tuttosport, Jack Harrison will start as a right winger with Jacopo Fazzini on the opposite flank.
The winner will face AEK Larnaca or Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Roberto Piccoli of ACF Fiorentina in action during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Rakow vs. Fiorentina – where to watch on TV
The match will be broadcast on TNT Sports 6 and online through Discovery+ in the UK and Ireland. It is also available for US fans on Paramount+. Football Italia will provide live coverage via a live blog.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Jacopo Fazzini of ACF Fiorentina in action during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Paolo Vanoli confirms Moise Kean ‘is ready to play’ for Fiorentina in the Conference League trip to Rakow. ‘I’ll only say I’m satisfied when we have definitively achieved our objective.’
The first leg saw the Viola turn it around to win 2-1 in stoppages with a last-gasp Albert Gudmundsson penalty.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 16: Coach Paolo Vanoli of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 16, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
“Now we’ve got to remember that is in the past, and tomorrow we are playing for qualification against a side that caused us quite a few problems in the first leg.
“We need to recharge the batteries, mentally as much as physically, and I think the result in Cremona will help us to do that.”
The big question marks are over the fitness levels of Kean, who has struggled in recent weeks with a recurring ankle issue.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Cher Ndour of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“Moise was on the bench in Cremona, which means he was available. We’ll decide tomorrow if he plays from the start or comes off the bench, but he is ready to play,” assured Vanoli.
“I am not looking further ahead than tomorrow’s game. We care about this competition, we must respect it and will do our best to get through to the next round. As always, I’ll choose the best possible line-up.
“Even when we were in a more difficult moment in Serie A, I always said we had to take it one game at a time. We have an objective, we are against a side that defends ruggedly and can counter-attack dangerously, so we must be concentrated.
“We’ve seen that such a slender advantage counts for little at international level. What we need is to recognise that nobody dominates for 90 minutes, there are matches within matches, and if you go behind then you must have the clear head to turn it around, or to control an advantage in those situations.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Albert Gudmundsson ac f scores a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Fiorentina had won 3-0 away to Jagiellonia in the Conference League play-offs, then lost by the same result at home, squeezing through in extra time.
Now they are back in Poland and this time have the advantage from the first leg at the Stadio Franchi.
“They have different playing styles in possession, but what unites them is how aggressive they are going forward,” explained Vanoli.
“Jagiellonia have more technique and quality, Rakow are more physical and love to run into space, but also defend very well. Polish football is growing and these are teams who made their mark on the international stage in recent years.”
Vanoli was drafted in by Fiorentina to replace Stefano Pioli on November 7, so how would the coach judge his work so far after nine wins, six draws and 11 defeats in all competition?
“My work only ends once the season is finished, and then we can judge together. Since I arrived, we’ve had ups and downs on this journey, and Fiorentina probably doesn’t deserve to be in this situation, but we did well to recognise where we were.
“It took a while to understand how to turn things around, but the victory against Cremonese was another step forward, even though there are still another 10 points we need to pick up to secure safety.
“I will only say I’m satisfied when we have definitively achieved our objective.”
Roma supporters were in attendance for Watford’s 3-1 victory over Wrexham in the EFL Championship to watch Edoardo Bove score his first goal since suffering a cardiac arrest on Wednesday night: ‘Even if you leave Rome, you won’t be alone’.
Bove back amongst the goals for the first time since 2024: ‘It wasn’t like that in my dreams!’
Bove is back to doing what he loves best after netting in the 94th minute to seal a 3-1 victory for his new club, Watford, over Championship promotion hopefuls Wrexham on Tuesday evening.
This was Bove’s first competitive goal since October 2024, when he scored in a thumping 5-1 victory for Fiorentina against his boyhood club, Roma.
Fiorentina’s midfielder Edoardo Bove celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match ACF Fiorentina vs AS Roma at Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy, 27 October 2024. EPA-EFE/CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI
Not long after that, Bove collapsed on the pitch early on in a Serie A match between Fiorentina and Inter, and it was later confirmed that he had suffered a cardiac arrest. Bove later had an internal defibrillator device fitted, which prevents him from playing professionally in Italy, but does not prohibit him from playing in the UK.
This was a situation similar to the one that involved Christian Eriksen, who joined Brentford and later Manchester United after leaving Inter shortly after suffering a cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark at EURO 2020.
Despite spending over a year out of action, assessing his next steps after learning that a return to action in Serie A would not be possible, Bove joined Championship side Watford as a free agent in January.
He has since gone on to make six substitute appearances for the Hornets, and on Wednesday night, grabbed his first goal in England during a 3-1 victory over Wrexham at Vicarage Road.
“I had a lot of time to think about my first goal when I was coming back. To be honest, it wasn’t like this, as it was an easy one! In my dreams it was in the top corner,” Bove joked after full-time.
“But the celebration was unbelievable. I went directly to the fans and I’m so happy for the team who have supported me, and all the staff, physios and doctors who have been watching my situation carefully and trying to do their best to get me on the pitch.
“I’m so happy this happened today and I’m looking forward to what’s next.
To make the occasion extra special for Bove, he was being cheered on by a large section of UK-based Roma supporters, who held up Giallorossi scarfs and a banner that read: ‘Even if you leave Rome, you won’t be alone’.
Inter Milan and AC Milan sit jointly at the top of Serie A’s shirt sponsorship earnings table, but the gap between the division’s biggest clubs and the rest remains stark, and for one club, the commercial silence is deafening.
Both Milan clubs currently earn €30 million per season from their respective shirt partners, according to reports gathered by CalcioMercato.
Inter receive their fee from Bettson, whose logo appears as Bettson.sport on the jersey, a workaround required under Italian laws prohibiting direct betting sponsorship.
Milan’s deal with Emirates is worth the same figure this season, though a recently signed renewal will see that rise to €35 million from 2026/27 onwards.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 15: Daniel Maldini of SS Lazio kicks the ball during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Serie A shirt sponsors: Juventus, Napoli & Roma rise as Lazio go sponsorless
Juventus, meanwhile, have seen a dramatic fall in commercial income in this area.
Having gone a full season without a shirt sponsor, Save the Children carried no financial value, the club have returned Jeep to their jersey, but through an internal Exor arrangement worth just €19 million this season, rising to €23 million next year.
It is a far cry from the €45 million the previous Jeep deal delivered at its peak. Napoli’s MSC Crociere deal is worth €9 million this season and is also set to increase in the coming campaign.
Roma have just unveiled a new shirt partner of their own, Eurobet.live, another betting-adjacent workaround, worth €8 million this season and €13 million from next.
Across the city, however, Lazio remain the only club in Serie A without a shirt sponsor, with Claudio Lotito yet to secure any commercial partnership for the jersey.
Some of the most eye-catching figures come from family-owned clubs with internal sponsorship arrangements. Fiorentina receive €25 million from Mediacom, a company connected to the late Rocco Commisso’s family, while Sassuolo’s Mapei deal is worth €18 million.
At the other end of the scale, the numbers are considerably more modest. Bologna receive €3 million from owner Joey Saputo’s business, Atalanta earn €5 million from Lete, and Cagliari pick up €3.6 million from the Sardinian regional government.
Torino (Suzuki, €2.35m), Parma (Prometeon, €1.5m), Udinese (Friuli Venezia Giulia region, €1.5m) and Genoa (Pulsee, €1.2m) follow, with Verona, Lecce and Como all on €1 million.
Pisa bring up the rear with €700,000 from Cetilar, who also sponsor the stadium.
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