Palladino: ‘Bove brings positive energy to Fiorentina’ | OneFootball

Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino explains the changes to his line-up against Udinese and welcomes Edoardo Bove to the bench for the first time since his medical emergency. ‘He brings positive energy.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 17.30 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Inter-Como on the Liveblog.

This is a very special occasion, because for the first time since his collapse on the pitch on December 1, Fiorentina midfielder Bove will be back at the Stadio Franchi watching on from the bench.

He was hospitalised and released with an implanted defibrillator that can be removed, should he be considered ready to resume his Serie A playing career.

“Edo must always be by our side, because he is a piece of our heart,” Palladino told DAZN.

“He wanted to be on the bench with us today and we were more than happy to have him there. He brings great positive energy in the locker room.”

Bove sitting next to Palladino on the bench

FLORENCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 23: Edoardo Bove of ACF Fiorentina follows the warm-up from the bench during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Udinese at Stadio Artemio Franchi on December 23, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Albert Gudmundsson was expected to start this evening, but instead Lucas Beltran plays, while Riccardo Sottil has shaken off tonsillitis symptoms.

“We’ve played a lot of games recently, Gudmundsson just returned from an injury, he needs a little bit of a breather. I am choosing Beltran in that position, Sottil rested in the most recent match, so there’s room for everyone,” explained Palladino.

Dodo is suspended, so Italy Under-21 international Michael Kayode gets a chance to play at right-back.

“Kayode is an extraordinary lad, he has always done well when called upon in Serie A or the Conference League. He’s fired up and I am sure he’ll do well,” added Palladino.

Fiorentina had won eight Serie A games in a row before their defeat to Bologna, but they were in action on Thursday with a late 1-1 draw away to Vitoria Guimaraes securing top eight status in the Conference League.

That means direct access to the Round of 16 without going through the play-offs.

“We are not looking at the other teams, we must focus on our own journey with victories, performances and also defeats that we can learn from. I asked the team for a solid performance, to work together, as we want to make our fans happy.”