Fiorentina forward Juan Cua-drado was substituted after 24 minutes of the Europa League match against Dinamo Minsk because his mind was elsewhere, coach Vincenzo Montella said.

“He’s suspended on Sunday (against Cesena) so I tried to play him from the start. I saw that his mind wasn’t totally on the match, so I preferred to substitute him,” Montella told reporters after Fiorentina’s shock 2-1 home loss to the Belarus team.

Although Fiorentina had already qualified for the knockout stage before the game, Montella was furious with the performance.

“It was an important match for me, I don’t like to lose even when I’m playing against my son,” he said.

“I take this seriously, I’m ashamed and I apologise to everyone.”