Mandragora: ‘Fiorentina needed this victory with Rakow’

Rolando Mandragora admits Fiorentina ‘needed’ the stoppage-time victory over Rakow and do not see the Conference League as ‘an inconvenience’ for their difficult season.

It was a mixed evening for the Viola, who had gone behind to the Jonatan Braut Brunes goal at the near post, but responded immediately within 20 seconds of play resuming thanks to the Cher Ndour volley swerving into the top corner from the edge of the area.

“I tried to knock down the ball, but the credit obviously goes to Ndour for a great goal,” Mandragora told Sky Sport Italia.

Deep into stoppages there was a dramatic twist, as Michael Ameyaw charged down a Dodo cross with his raised arm just inside the box, allowing Albert Gudmundsson to convert the penalty with ice in his veins.

Fiorentina in dire need of a boost

“We needed this right now. It’s too often that we react to events and we’ve got to start stronger rather than always responding, so we need to be totally focused and with the right attitude,” continued Mandragora.

“The Conference League is important to us, it is absolutely not an inconvenience. In recent years, we went so close to taking the trophy and didn’t quite manage it, so we are in it and it would be wonderful to give this silverware to the fans.”

The second leg will be next Thursday in Poland, but before that the Viola have a very tough and crucial Serie A relegation showdown with Cremonese.

“Fiorentina must be determined, hungry and aggressive, that is the team we must all expect to see. No proclamations, this victory gives us some confidence, but we are struggling and cannot deny that, so we need to give it our all.”