[D-Kin]

Viola rue Franchi failure Monday 4 February, 2008

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The Fiorentina camp was deflated after last night’s defeat against Milan, with Coach Cesare Prandelli insisting the Viola deserved at least a point.

The Champions League qualification showdown went the way of Milan courtesy of a late goal from Alexandre Pato, but Fiorentina came close on several occasions in a very even battle.

The Gigliati now lead the world champions by just four points and have played one extra game, but Prandelli is determined to take the positives from events at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

“Psychologically there is no problem because when you play like that you know that you are doing well,” he maintained. "We didn’t deserve to lose, but that’s football.

“Milan are a great team with quality players who can conjure up goals, but their winner came after we were in their box and gave the ball away in midfield – they just did well to capitalise.

“We would have been disappointed even to draw. It was a good performance that we can build upon. We just need to have more determination and be more ruthless in the box.”

President Andrea Della Valle also believed that the score-line was unjust and commended his men for their efforts.

“A draw would have been a fairer result,” he stated. “We dominated for 70 minutes and I have no reason to criticise the lads.

“It was a chance to keep distance between us and Milan, so there is some bitterness because we lost due to our mistake and against top sides you always will be punished for errors. But we will keep going and fight to the end.”

Sporting director Pantaleo Corvino insisted that the difference between the two sides on the day was purely the level of investment.

“Fiorentina have champions too but we can’t compete with Milan’s financial power in the market,” he lamented. “They can spend £12m on an 18-year-old whereas we can’t.

“However, I am proud of the way our side is performing and I hope that they can immediately bounce back because we can still achieve our Scudetto, which is finishing in fourth place.”

The next test for Fiorentina is a challenging trip to Atalanta.

channel4.com - Football Italia