Hat-Trick Secures 4-2 Fiorentina Win as Paolo Vanoli Demands Mindset Shift
Fiorentina head coach Paolo Vanoli addressed post-match media following a 4-2 victory against Venezia FC at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on September 11, 2026. Speaking in a broadcast interview, the manager reflected on his immediate priorities after stepping back onto the bench in Serie A.
Vanoli was reappointed by Fiorentina following the dismissal of Fabio Grosso just three matches into the 2026-27 campaign. The victory in Venice, built on a hat-trick from Franco Mastantuono and a strike from Mateo Pellegrino, marked Vanoli’s first fixture back in charge of the club he previously guided to top-flight safety at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
Fiorentina
clubVanoli Calls for Total Squad Commitment Following 4-2 Win in Venice
When asked about his team’s initial performance and the instructions given to the squad ahead of his return fixture, Vanoli emphasized that individual talent must be paired with collective work rate.
“We have to start over. We have a squad that intrigues me because it is talented, but talent alone doesn’t get you anywhere. We have to become a team first and teach these youngsters that in Italian football, if you don’t run for your teammate, you will struggle,”
Vanoli’s assessment outlines a clear demand for tactical discipline and work ethic within a refreshed Fiorentina lineup. While the four-goal output delivered an immediate three points on the road, the manager’s focus centers on off-ball work rates and defensive cohesion to ensure sustained consistency across the Serie A calendar.
Mindset Shift and Long-Term Building Take Priority at Viola Park
Addressing the directive given to the dressing room during his first week back at the training ground, Vanoli stressed the necessity of establishing a firm mental foundation for the club’s young core.
“I told the boys that we have to start with this blank canvas. First of all, we have to work on the mindset, but I’m lucky enough to have a young group and they’re all like sponges. This team has a strong future, but we have to keep our feet on the ground.”
The emphasis on a mental reset points to a structural recalibration for Fiorentina following early-season instability. By treating the transition as an open slate, the coaching staff aims to accelerate player development while managing physical workloads across a demanding campaign.
Vanoli’s reappointment comes just months after he departed Fiorentina at the end of the 2025-26 season, having successfully steered the side clear of relegation. Club director Fabio Paratici and the Commisso family turned back to Vanoli following Grosso’s brief three-game tenure to restore operational continuity and stabilize the sporting project.
Vanoli spoke to DAZN post-match.