Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino has announced that goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano will replace David De Gea in the upcoming Conference League match against Panathinaikos. This decision aims to provide Terracciano, the former first-choice goalkeeper, with a valuable opportunity.
Palladino, speaking at a pre-match press conference in Athens, described Terracciano as “a great goalkeeper, a great man,” emphasizing his belief in the player and the club’s confidence in him. He explained that this goalkeeper rotation is a natural progression, with Terracciano having featured in league games earlier in the season, while De Gea has been preferred in cup competitions. Palladino highlighted the team’s strength in the goalkeeping department, mentioning their two experienced players and young talent Martinelli.
In further team news, Palladino confirmed the return of Moise Kean to the squad. Kean has recovered from a head injury sustained in February against Hellas Verona. While available for selection, the final decision on whether Kean will play against Panathinaikos rests with the player himself.
Addressing Fiorentina’s recent dip in form after a strong start to the season, Palladino acknowledged that the team had exceeded expectations in the first half of the season. He pointed out that fluctuations in performance are normal throughout a season. Palladino stressed the importance of continuous improvement, hard work, and the return of injured players to overcome this phase. He views the Conference League match as an opportunity to build on their recent victory against Lecce and regain momentum.
