Vanoli Fiorentina Improving Despite 2-1 Loss vs Inter as Jimenez Stunner Goes Unrewarded

FolioPitch.com – 25 October 2026 | Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli insisted that his side are continuing to grow despite a painful 2-1 away defeat to Inter at San Siro, reaffirming that Vanoli Fiorentina improving despite 2-1 loss vs Inter is the message he wants his players to carry forward. The Tuscans had taken a shock second-half lead through a stunning strike from Alex Jimenez, only for late goals from Marcus Thuram and Piotr Zielinski to snatch all three points for the hosts in Sunday’s Serie A lunchtime fixture.

Speaking to DAZN after the final whistle, Vanoli was keen to focus on the positives from a performance that troubled the reigning champions for long spells. “We knew Inter were strong, but I think we played a great game,” he said. “We have improved in many aspects. Obviously, we had a couple of chances to score the second. This isn’t the first time Inter have made a comeback. We need to realise that we are improving.”

The coach’s assessment underlined a broader narrative at the club: results may not yet reflect the progress being made on the training ground, but the evidence of Vanoli Fiorentina improving despite 2-1 loss vs Inter was visible in the courage and organisation his team displayed in Milan. The Viola pressed high, broke with intent and were rewarded when Jimenez produced a moment of individual brilliance to open the scoring after the interval.

Late Heartbreak at San Siro

For much of the contest, Fiorentina looked capable of claiming a statement victory. Jimenez’s goal gave them a platform, and Vanoli’s men created further openings to double their advantage. However, Inter’s quality told in the closing stages, with Thuram levelling before Zielinski struck the decisive blow, a scenario the Fiorentina boss acknowledged has become familiar for the Nerazzurri.

“I’m sorry for the lads because they deserved an important win,” Vanoli added. “We must keep our heads held high and keep this up.” The defeat leaves the table looking uncomfortable for the Viola, and the coach admitted that the standings add pressure to an already demanding start to the campaign.

Tactical Changes and Fresh Legs

Vanoli also explained his second-half substitutions, withdrawing Jimenez and Mastantuono in favour of Dodo and Wilfried Gnonto even though Inter had been struggling on that flank. “That is why I brought on two fresh players,” he explained. “I brought on Dodo and Willy because I thought Inter would struggle and force Mkhitaryan to track back.”

The decision reflected a coach actively searching for solutions rather than simply reacting to the scoreline, another sign that Vanoli Fiorentina improving despite 2-1 loss vs Inter is more than a convenient talking point. The introduction of fresh width was designed to exploit space and keep the champions pinned back, and for a period it worked.

Looking Beyond the Table

Vanoli was careful to stress that his squad must not be weighed down by memories of last season or by the current position in the standings. “We must not look to last season. We are looking for the right suit,” he said. “We are trying to win at all costs; the table doesn’t look pretty, and it makes things hectic, but I think this team is becoming a team and must keep going like this.”

That metaphor of finding the right fit suggests a coach still fine-tuning a group in transition, blending new arrivals with established figures while demanding a winning mentality. Vanoli pointed to other matches, including the meeting with Genoa, where he felt his side deserved more, as further proof that the margins have been narrow.

“Going forward, I think these can be important games,” he continued. “Then the result determines morale, and we must look for it. Since I arrived, we have deserved more in some games, including against Genoa. We met a strong team today; we held on, and we understood that we can do well.”

Conclusion

Fiorentina leave San Siro empty-handed, but the performance offers genuine encouragement. A young side took the game to one of Serie A’s most formidable opponents, led through a moment of brilliance and only succumbed to late pressure from a team accustomed to dramatic comebacks. Vanoli’s insistence that Vanoli Fiorentina improving despite 2-1 loss vs Inter is not empty rhetoric but a reflection of tangible progress will now be tested in the coming fixtures. If the Viola can convert improved displays into points, the table will soon begin to tell a far more flattering story than the current standings suggest.