Fabio Grosso recognized that ACF Fiorentina faces significant challenges following their 4-0 defeat at Roma in his first Serie A match as head coach. He defended his choice to leave Moise Kean on the bench during the game.

In a press conference at the Stadio Olimpico, the coach addressed why the striker did not start the match.

“In a game like this, it’s reductive to talk about individuals,” Grosso remarked. “With Kean, I imagined a match where you had to get your hands dirty. We could have played both strikers, but it distorted us too much. So I preferred Mateo, who battled, and then in the second half I wanted to rely on Kean’s qualities. While I was making the change, we conceded.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – AUGUST 14: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the Coppa Italia match between ACF Fiorentina and Benevento Calcio at Artemio Franchi on August 14, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The coach praised the forward’s professionalism in light of speculation regarding his future, including recent links to Como. “I compliment him on how immersed he is in the work despite the transfer rumours,” Grosso said.

Reflecting on the defeat, Grosso acknowledged the strength of the Roma squad while also admitting that Fiorentina contributed to their own problems. “We faced a strong, established team that turned up at the same level as last year,” he noted. “I knew about the difficulties. We conceded the first goal from a move I found suspicious at its start. Then we conceded the second at our best moment. We’re disappointed, but the opponent put us in trouble. We’ll take a lot from it and work to improve.”

Grosso was direct when discussing the necessary improvements. “We have to work a lot, there’s a lot to improve,” he stated. “This obstacle is difficult regardless. Coming here against a strong team is never easy. It isn’t enough to just work; you have to play complete matches. When there’s defending and battling to be done, you do it.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – AUGUST 14: Head coach Fabio Grosso manager of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Coppa Italia match between ACF Fiorentina and Benevento Calcio at Artemio Franchi on August 14, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Grosso emphasized the need for more than just talent to compete effectively in Serie A. “To compete in this league, quality isn’t enough,” he said. “You also need intensity and the ability to repel the opponent. We could have avoided all the goals.” He acknowledged some individual performances from players like Christ Inao Oulai, Franco Mastantuono, Mateo Pellegrino, and Arthur Atta but insisted the team must work more cohesively.

“We do nice things sporadically and individually. To break into this league, we have to do it all together. Matches have many phases. You have to stay inside them and not hand them to your opponents; conceding a fourth goal or not is not the same thing,” he added.

In closing, Grosso conveyed a sense of determination: “These are all experiences for us. We need to get to know each other, but we have the qualities to build what we want. We’re convinced we’ll construct a strong team that can produce a very different match from today’s.”

Fabio Grosso accepted Fiorentina have a great deal of work ahead after his first Serie A match in charge of the Viola ended in a 4-0 defeat at Roma, while defending his decision to leave Moise Kean on the bench.

With quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, the coach was asked in his press conference at the Stadio Olimpico why the striker had not started.

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“In a game like this, it’s reductive to talk about individuals,” Grosso said.

“With Kean, I imagined a match where you had to get your hands dirty. We could have played both strikers, but it distorted us too much. So I preferred Mateo, who battled, and then in the second half I wanted to rely on Kean’s qualities. While I was making the change, we conceded.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – AUGUST 14: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during of the Coppa Italia match between of ACF Fiorentina and Benevento Calcio at Artemio Franchi on August 14, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

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Grosso praises Kean amid Como transfer speculation

The coach was warm on the forward’s professionalism given the noise around his future, with links to Como emerging in the press over the last few days.

“I compliment him on how immersed he is in the work despite the transfer rumours,” Grosso said.

On the defeat itself, he pointed to the quality of the opposition while conceding Fiorentina had contributed to their own downfall.

“We faced a strong, established team that turned up at the same level as last year,” he said.

“I knew about the difficulties. We conceded the first goal from a move I found suspicious at its start. Then we conceded the second at our best moment. We’re disappointed, but the opponent put us in trouble. We’ll take a lot from it and work to improve.”

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Pressed on what message should emerge from the evening, Grosso was blunt. “We have to work a lot, there’s a lot to improve,” he said.

“This obstacle is difficult regardless. Coming here against a strong team is never easy. It isn’t enough to just work, you have to play complete matches. When there’s defending and battling to be done, you do it.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – AUGUST 14: Head coach Fabio Grosso manager of ACF Fiorentina looks on during of the Coppa Italia match between of ACF Fiorentina and Benevento Calcio at Artemio Franchi on August 14, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

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Grosso: ‘Quality isn’t enough’

He returned repeatedly to the idea that talent alone will not carry his side.

“To compete in this league, quality isn’t enough,” he said. “You also need intensity and the ability to repel the opponent’s. We could have avoided all the goals.”

Grosso saw isolated encouragement in the performances of Christ Inao Oulai, Franco Mastantuono, Mateo Pellegrino and Arthur Atta, but wants it joined up.

“We do nice things sporadically and individually,” he said. “To break into this league, we have to do it all together. Matches have many phases, you have to stay inside them and not hand them to your opponents, conceding a fourth goal or not is not the same thing.”

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He closed on a note of defiance.

“These are all experiences for us. We need to get to know each other, but we have the qualities to build what we want. We’re convinced we’ll build a strong team that can produce a very different match to today’s.”