Robin Gosens is already somewhat fading from memory in the national team, as things are not going well for the left-back in Florence either. His club had a historically poor start to the season. He himself remains combative, but the press is also counting him among the disappointments.
Just last spring, the Italian press was overflowing with praise. Robin Gosens was playing “like in his best days at Atalanta Bergamo,” cheered the Corriere dello Sport . But now the wind has changed direction.
The Gazzetta dello Sport recently counted the 31-year-old among the “true disappointments” of the season so far at AC Florence. “He doesn’t seem to be himself and already looks like a substitute player,” wrote the paper.
For Robin Gosens, this season in Florence is disappointing
The left wing-back, who repeatedly sets offensive accents with his flank runs, is still waiting for his first goal contribution this season.
Gosens no longer considered by Nagelsmann
He was no longer considered by national coach Julian Nagelsmann in the last two training camps. And in his absence, David Raum has established himself as the left-back in the national team.
Meanwhile, Gosens is not alone in the pillory in his chosen home of Italy. The historic false start of Fiorentina, which lost its first three home games in Serie A for the first time since the 1928/29 season and only drew three times away, has many faces. However, due to his experience, Gosens is particularly held accountable.
Together with goalkeeper David de Gea and the now 39-year-old ex-Wolfsburg player Edin Dzeko, the Corriere dello Sport sees Gosens as responsible for leading the way in Stefano Pioli’s team: “Now is the right time for Pioli’s veterans to step into the spotlight.”
“The media are starting to pick on us”
The unsatisfactory sporting situation is gnawing at Gosens. “The problem is that the pressure from outside is now increasing. The fans demand results. The media are starting to pick on us,” he said at the end of September in the Copa TS podcast.
He has great respect for the passion of the fans. “Everyone who lives in Florence or has something to do with Florence feels like an ultra of Florence,” added Gosens: “When you get booed at the end of a game, you really go home with a stomachache because you know you’ve disappointed over 30,000 fans here. I’m a player who takes that home with me.”
Therefore, it is essential not to be infected by the mood around you. “Everyone gets messages from friends, gets stopped by fans on the street. The direct quote is always: Hey, what kind of shit are you pulling right now? Are you trying to mess with us?”
Robin Gosens hopes for a turnaround in Florence
Although last season’s start was also bumpy, the subsequent winning streak ultimately carried the club into the Conference League despite some fluctuations. However, with transfer expenditures of over 90 million euros, expectations have now also increased.
“On the other hand, you can’t get it done on the pitch”
“You can’t on one side talk about how great and super everything will be this year and on the other side not get it done on the pitch,” Gosens put it in drastic words.
Especially the newly signed offensive forces like marquee transfer Roberto Piccoli (came for 25 million euros from Cagliari) and Albert Gudmundsson (signed for 13 million from Genoa) have not yet been the hopes-for reinforcements.
Top striker Moise Kean also only has one season goal so far but is undisputed. However, Kean left the Italian national team early due to an ankle injury, and his participation in the game at AC Milan on Saturday is questionable.
“I still believe that this quality we have in the squad will show itself,” Gosens said combatively. “I believe in this saying, even if it sounds shitty: Hard work will always be rewarded somehow. And since we work hard, I’m sure the reward will come.”
But talking about a turnaround is not so easy. Gosens’ words were followed by two more winless games immediately before the international break. And the tasks in the league won’t get easier. After the guest at Milan, the Derby dell’Appennino against FC Bologna awaits, followed by an appearance trip to runner-up Inter Milan.