Paolo Vanoli is urging his Fiorentina side to play with fearless ambition as they face a monumental task against Crystal Palace. The Viola need a 3-0 victory at the Stadio Franchi on Thursday to overturn their first-leg deficit and keep their Conference League dream alive, a challenge the coach acknowledges is immense but not insurmountable.

Vanoli, who has masterminded a stunning Serie A survival campaign this season, believes the key lies in his players shedding all inhibition. "We will play with a free head, knowing that we will need something special," he stated. "Sometimes what matters is not so much technical quality but desire, doing something that goes beyond what is expected, with courage and freedom. We have to risk, try and dream."

His perspective is grounded in the harsh reality of Fiorentina's season. With survival the overwhelming priority after a dismal start of just four points from 11 league games, this European run has been a bonus. "When we had four points we were talking primarily about the league, that was the priority," Vanoli admitted. "Then the story says the Conference must be an objective for this club."

Regardless of the outcome, Vanoli sees immense value in testing themselves against Premier League opposition. "The strong teams make you grow," he noted. "When you don’t win, you learn." This philosophy extends to his own future at the club, which he refuses to let hinge on a single result. Expressing a clear desire to continue, Vanoli emphasized that his tenure should not be defined solely by Thursday's high-stakes encounter, setting the stage for a night of pure, unburdened football in Florence.