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Cesare Prandelli’s Italy: How Fiorentina Is at the Heart of the New Azzurri
Published: September 6, 2010
That was a during a friendly with Mexico back in 1993 when a simmering conflict between the Florentine support and the Italian football federation came to a head. The problem originated, you won’t be surprised to hear, in a clash with Juventus and the decision to make Fiorentina play their “home” leg of the 1990 UEFA Cup final in Avellino. Many Viola fans felt the venue had been deliberately selected due to the strength of Bianconero support in the area.
The fact that Juve lifted the cup and then signed Roberto Baggio did not help matters. There were protests in the streets and when the Nazionale came to the outskirts of Florence to train for Italia 90 they faced some angry scenes. Firenze had come to harbour a deep resentment towards the football establishment and the team which represented it around the world. It culminated in the chants of support for Mexico in that infamous friendly.
It would be another 13 years before La Nazionale would return to Florence. The Italian Football Federation snubbed the city like a parent trying to discipline an ungrateful child. The Fiorentini simply turned up their nose at a team which they felt precious little affinity towards.
And yet it was an impasse which did not do the national cause any favours. The Azzurri have never been defeated in the Renaissance city with a proud record of 17 wins and six draws from 23 matches. Few other grounds in Italy come close to being such a good luck charm.
Club Italia returned for another friendly in 2006 when the olive branch was extended and accepted. But it will be an altogether more emotional ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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