Raffaele Palladino seems increasingly closer to Fiorentina. From the change of module to the birth of Monza-branded talents
Raffele Palladino is getting closer and closer to being the new coach of Fiorentina. After yesterday’s meeting in Florence, the Monza coach is only waiting for the end of the Viola season to officially settle on the banks of the Arno. In recent years at Monza he has amazed many professionals, especially in his first year, and has launched more than a few players on the Italian football scene. This year he also changed his favorite formation, the 3-4-2-1, to 4-2-3-1, perhaps to prepare for a change of bench. Through this in-depth analysis, let’s find out something more about the increasingly probable future Viola coach
The module change
—
Raffaele Palladino in his first year as a manager in Serie A presented himself with a 3-4-2-1 which made particular use of the two wingers. Both had to do the offensive and defensive phase and this required a great physical effort from Ciurria and Carlos Augusto. With precious goals and assists they managed to secure safety which was unexpected at the beginning, thanks also to the magic of the two attacking midfielders Dany Mota and Caprari. Even with the new season the form has remained the same, until the revolution arrives on February 18th in a 4-2 home win against Milan, four-man defense and three attacking midfielders. The coach himself explained the choice after the match: “We’ve been trying the 4-2-3-1 since Wednesday, studying Milan and looking for their difficulties. We played with quality and were able to strike at the right time. For me it was really a step forward, in terms of awareness and play.” In short, a step forward in that awareness that allowed him to save for two years in a row, with great tranquility, a team that, especially in the first year, seemed doomed.
“His” talents
—
In these two years Palladino has managed to develop more or less young players who have amazed the experts of the big Italian teams. Some have earned a place in the first Italian teams, like Carlos Augusto, who played 37 games for Inter this year, or even goalkeeper Di Gregorio, elected best goalkeeper in Serie A and betrothed to Juventus. And again Andrea Colpani, a 25-year-old attacking midfielder who had never expressed a quality of play as he did under the guidance of Palladino. Passing through the two Carboni brothers, with Valentin also sought by Fiorentina, up to Dany Mota and Ciurria. In short, in these two years he has managed to bring out the best in many players
Some disappointments too
—
However, not all experiments were successful. Lorenzo Colombo is the most marked example. Having arrived from Milan on loan in the summer with the stigmata of being predestined, he ended the season with 25 appearances and only 4 goals, even having his place taken away by the more experienced Milan Djuric. Or Alessio Cragno, hired to be the starter and quickly replaced by protégé Di Gregorio. Petagna also did not return what he paid, around 10 million, and was today sent on loan to Cagliari. In short, all that glitters is not gold, but certainly in these two years he has demonstrated that he knows how to valorise the human material with which he worked. We’ll see if he can do it in Florence too
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
