Read Technical Director Daniele Prade's comments after Fiorentina's loss to Milan

Good evening. We saw Stefano Pioli’s reaction too at the end of the match as he went to speak to the referee. What is your opinion on what happened?

“We have a clear idea of what happened. It was an outrageous penalty. A lot of simulation. What was [Luca] Ranieri supposed to do 10 minutes before that when he was fouled. We were forced to play with 10 men and we conceded a goal. That should’ve been a red card. A penalty like that is truly outrageous. It’s outrageous that the VAR calls the referee for a review on something he has already decided because the VAR is supposed to intervene only if the referee has made a serious mistake in the penalty box. It’s just wrong. The team played well and did their best today. We are disheartened, disappointed, pissed off.”

You probably didn’t imagine this situation in the table for the team. You’ve said multiple times that you believe in Pioli, are you going to do the same today?

“I’ll say this once again: the only person who can get us out of this bad situation – its’ just the start of the season, no one could’ve anticipated this, but we only have three points after seven matches and we’re in the relegation zone – is Stefano. We chose him. If someone has to resign, that person is me. The owners and the president gave me everything I needed. I had over 90 million euros for the transfer window. I’m sorry I disappointed him, his family and the fans. I am the only person who is responsible for this.

“Time will show what this team can truly achieve, as they have important values. There are players who play for their national team, players that everyone wanted. Players we had to convince. What happened tonight really takes an emotional toll on a team. They feel cheated. Talking to them today won’t be easy. We’ll have a long trip back to Florence. And starting from tomorrow we’ll have to focus on the Conference League, with an important match coming up.

“Stefano [Pioli] is the one who needs to understand what’s not working because right now I don’t know what that might be. The team played a good match. They were compact and they knew they were up against a tough team. We conceded the equalizer with 10 men on the pitch with a shoot from 25 meters out and then a non-existent penalty. Then I think there was just one save by [David] de Gea. What else can I say?”

You talked about resigning. Are you thinking about it?

“I don’t want to say anything in the heat of the moment. What I said is that if they want to get rid of someone, that someone is me, not Stefano Pioli or players. If there are any misgivings concerning me today, it’s totally fair: considering how much I’ve spent, this team should be much higher in the table. The Technical Director is the one to blame, not anyone else. When you have such a big budget and you’re doing so badly in the table, it’s got to be someone’s fault.”

You said that it’s all your fault. But what were the actual mistakes, apart from those of the Technical Director. Because this is not a team that can have three points after seven matches. Do you know what your mistakes have been so that we can understand the more general mistakes?

“I have to think about it. I don’t see anyone else who should be blamed apart from me. I can’t say anything bad about the coach. He works hard all day with his staff. The team follow him. The results are what they are. It’s been a strange season, with all those away matches. We conceded a goal in minute 95 in Cagliari. The stadium doesn’t help. What’s happening at the stadium is crazy. Tonight there were 71,500 fans, while we can’t even fit 22,000. Seeing the Curva Fiesole somewhere else is not like seeing it where it normally is. It’s a series of things. I don’t feel comfortable blaming anyone else but myself.”

Going back to that penalty: did you ask anything about the protocol? Did you speak to any of the referees?

“No. What were we supposed to tell them? I couldn’t say anything nice to them, so I’d rather not tell them anything.”

There have been other instances of Fiorentina risking relegation in recent years.

“Only once with [Beppe] Iachini and [Cesare] Prandelli.”

And the year before with Vincenzo Montella. Do the players seem afraid that they’ll have to fight to avoid relegation?

“It’s just matchday seven. It’s too early for these things. Thinking about avoiding relegation means wasting a season. That’s out of the question. Our goals were completely different at the start of this season. We know that we’re lacking a trophy win. We played three finals and we always lost. Winning one of those would’ve been completely different. That’s what we’re thinking the most about now.

Fiorentina struggled a lot throughout the match tonight. Today’s Fiorentina isn’t working. Have you set a deadline to find a solution? Because three points in seven matches means being relegated.

“I disagree about what you said about today’s match. Every match is different. We prepared it well, we scored and could’ve won. Each match requires a different tactic. Today we played well, especially in the first 15 to 20 minutes of the second half. We were completely in the game. Of course it’s not an excellent Fiorentina. But the final result is what really matters right now. We can’t be talking about whether our playing style is spectacular. Now it’s all about results. It’s about our players being ambitious again. They must be stimulated and supported.

“You could say that I have to get angry with the players. However, there’s no reason why I should do that today. They all did their job. They all contributed something. All of them. Moise [Kean] played with an ankle problem. [Robin] Gosens played with a hamstring strain. These players really want to be on the pitch for the sake of Fiorentina and because they know that this is a tough period for us. Yes, we’re in the relegation zone, but we can’t be thinking about this on matchday seven, otherwise we’d be wasting a whole season. Thank you.”