Grosso on Roma: strong, structured opponents who created many difficulties

Fiorentina manager Fabio Grosso reflected on his side's opening Serie A defeat to Roma at the Olimpico on matchday one, acknowledging the scale of the task against a well-organised opponent. "We faced a strong, structured team. We knew it would be very difficult," Grosso said. "It's a shame because we conceded goals through naivety and carelessness that we must be good at eliminating. We need to fill the match better. There is much to do—I knew it and I know it. From tomorrow we will work and grow in every aspect. Today the bar was very high against an opponent that created many difficulties for us."

Grosso addressed the difficulty of assembling his squad in a compressed timeframe, with the transfer window still open. "There have been many difficulties; we are not satisfied with the performance but the road is long," he said. "You cannot build everything in little time, but you can be present in the match. Today it was not easy—Roma is strong and finished third last season. We are building ourselves, but we are capable of doing better than what we did today. We must not concede opportunities through carelessness or superficiality as happened last season." He noted that while young prospect Mastantuono showed personality and created important opportunities, Fiorentina still need to complete their roster. "Those are positions that must be filled," Grosso explained, adding that Mastantuono has grown in prominence since moving to Real Madrid last year.

On the controversial decision to field Kean in the second half despite ongoing market speculation around the striker, Grosso defended both the player and his tactical approach: "The club will think about it and make the appropriate considerations. We are inside this situation and this period, which everyone judges unsatisfactory. The focus on playing matches is diverted. I wanted to use Kean's quality in the second half, but I must compliment him for how he is preparing despite the many market rumours." Regarding right-back Dodò's performance, Grosso said: "It is reductive to speak of individuals. I tried to give some knowledge of what we were going to face, but we did not succeed in what we had imagined. We must be good at understanding that matches must always be filled: great intensity and mentality are needed. On the goals we committed avoidable carelessness."

Grosso emphasized that the loss, despite Fiorentina's significant summer spending and ambitions, sends a clear message. "The message that comes out is that we must work a lot. Coming to the Olimpico on opening day against a strong, settled team is not easy," he said. On potential tactical adjustments in midfield around Fagioli's positioning, Grosso remained committed to his approach: "These are all experiences for us. We must get to know each other and we have the qualities to do what we have in mind. We are disappointed by the result, but we believe strongly in what we are doing."