ACF Fiorentina wish to congratulate the player and the Youth Academy and would like to thank the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. 

It is true that we haven't been getting the results we wanted since April 2010: I'm sorry I wasn't able to continue in the same vein as before, and that I unwittingly failed to meet the expectations of the owners and the fans.

I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to your understanding: by all means criticise the recent disappointing results – you have every right – but keep believing in the current owners. They deserve your backing and they will start another winning cycle with you. Allow me to say that I have also had some wonderful times, which I will always remember fondly.

I joined Fiorentina in summer 2005, when the first choices regarding coaches, players and collaborators were made. In the seven years since then we've been the team that has accumulated the fourth most points in Italy, qualifying for the Champions League four times on the pitch and enjoying some marvellous evenings against Lyon, Liverpool and Bayern, as well as that unlucky yet thrilling night at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

I also remember a throbbing, joyous stadium for the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup, as well as the four trophies we won at youth level – an academy that I'm sure will produce great resources for the first team. These years have been successful off the pitch too: Fiorentina has long been held up as a model club in terms of financial management.

As I bid farewell to the city, which will remain in my heart all my life, I wish to express my gratitude to the owners, the club, the players, the coaches and collaborators for their commitment and to you fans for the support you have always shown. Together we have all suffered but also contributed towards some exceptional achievements.

That's why I will always keep a fond memory of you, and I hope to a certain extent that you will of me.

Pantaleo Corvino

“This was a season where too many things happened” ACF Fiorentina’s Patron said. “Today, those chants came from a minority of supporters, but they were promptly silenced by the rest of the stadium and that was a beautiful thing. It was a sign of maturity by the crowd and the city”

“Nevertheless”, he added, “I am the first one who didn’t enjoy this season”.

“We are doing our best to re-start. We must wonder about what’s going on, if a quiet individual like Delio Rossi reacts in such a violent manner. The decision of firing him was very painful. I think we are getting near to exasperation and we all should stop and think about what’s happening to football”

Ranieri’s idea being rejected means Florence is pro Zeman?

“This is not decision time. I asked for few days. Rushed decisions lead to mistakes, although we don’t have a lot of time. We’re evaluating several options”.

Have you contacted Prandelli?

“We have great memories, but he is now focused on making every Italian fan dreaming of successes with the National Team and that’s what matters now”

On the Club situation:

“When things like that happen, changes are inevitable. We want players who see Florence as a starting point. Fans must go back to dreaming and enjoying themselves. The ideal solution would be having a good mix of youngsters and more experienced players, something like we had in the first years”.

Juventus celebrated the Scudetto in their new stadium. You had for some time a project for a new structure.

“I presented our project two years before than Juve: the scale model is still in my office…the one of the Agnelli family is reality”.

Press release.
Following the acts of protest carried out by a minority of fans against the ACF Fiorentina directors and the Honorary Chairman Andrea Della Valle that took place during the match Fiorentina v Cagliari, the Associazione Centro Coordinamento Viola Club (ACCVC – Association of Viola Supporters’ Groups) would like to distance itself from those actions and it expresses full solidarity to the Club’s management on behalf of all Viola Club supporters’ groups associated. Moreover, a great display of support and solidarity was immediately shown from the majority of spectators, as protests were taking place.

The Association would like to point out that a ‘more than mediocre’ result, as the one of this season, does not justify in any way ‘personal offences’.

The President
Filippo Pucci

What Fiorentina team would you like to see?

“As a supporter, I’d like to see a team full of young players with 4/5 quality elements. It’s not true that those who underperformed this season must go”

Cerci?

“He knows he has done some good and some stupid things at the same time”

“I felt privileged to have coached this team. I’d be honoured to help next season”

On my future?

“The Club is focused in finding a manager and a Sporting Director”

What is to be saved from this season?

“The improvements done by our youngsters. Starting from Nastasic, Camporese and Acosty”

Here they are in alphabetical order:

ACOSTY, AGYEI, BEHRAMI, CAMPORESE, CASSANI, CERCI, DE SILVESTRI, FELIPE, KHARJA, LAZZARI, MANFREDINI, MARCHIONNI, NATALI, NETO, OLIVERA, PASQUAL, ROMULO, ROZZIO and SALIFU.

Injured: Amauri, Gamberini, Jovetic, Kroldrup, Montolivo, Nastasic and Vargas.

On the team’s social dinner on Thursday night:

“What’s the problem with having dinner with your team-mates? I find it normal for a group. You live together for a full football season and once you achieve your goal, then you want to make it an occasion to say goodbye to one another. I notice that we talk more and more about gossip. Occasionally, it would be good to talk about football as well”.

Many players heading out?

“Several players must be evaluated in a different contest, before selling them and then regretting the choice”.

My future?

“As agreed, the Club will put a proposal forward at the end of the season. I am here only to help Fiorentina”.

On the fans’ behaviour:

“They weren’t close, but they let us work in difficult times. Surely we won’t be cheered on Sunday”.

Is it hard to sell the Fiorentina project?

“Don’t believe in fairy tales. People in this business would rush to get a job here”.

Boruc or Neto tomorrow?

“Neto will start tomorrow”.

Are we going to see youngsters from the Primavera team in tomorrow’s line-up?

“a couple of them will join us on the bench and probably will be part of the game too”.

Will Behrami start?

“Let’s see. Valon has always made himself available. Many players in his same condition would have refused to play”.

Is Ranieri the right choice?

“I don’t know who the manager will be. Ranieri has an excellent CV. He won a Serie B championship, a Coppa Italia and a Supercup”.

What makes winning tomorrow important?

“It’s always better winning than dropping points. There’s never a reason why you shouldn’t attempt at winning every game”.

On Luis Enrique’s departure:

“ I was touched. He’s a positive character. He taught everyone a lesson. I really liked his ideas on the pitch. It’s a shame he couldn’t continue in his journey with Roma”.

What’s the role model, the Club, people should get inspiration from?

“Fiorentina”

The best moment with Viola since you’re back?

“Time flew. For me it was just a dream coming true”.

The tests highlighted a minor capsular-ligament lesion which will require seven days of rest before resuming physical activity and, as a consequence, the player will not be available for the home match against Cagliari.

Riccardo Montolivo too underwent medical examinations that confirmed a first-degree lesion to his thigh’s adductor. The player will be able to resume activity in 10 days.

 Dr.Ulrich Boenisch visited  Stevan Jovetic in Ausburg for a follow-up check on the knee the player recently had surgery on and the physician confirmed that it is steady and there are no signs of lesions following the trauma incurred during the last  minutes of the game against Atalanta.

Matjia Nastasic joined Jovetic in Ausburg and his medical report indicated a minor strain to his knee’s collateral ligament.

Valon Behrami is continuing therapy following an acromioclavicular luxation.

Fiorentina v Cagliari Sunday 13th May 2012 3PM

“I congratulate all my teammates. We stuck together and fought back, even the players who could think for themselves today have given everything for the group. It was important to win here, because we wanted to send a message out. Now that we have reached our minimum goal, let’s look ahead with optimism. I have a long contract and I want to have a great season next year”

“What have I done to reach a good feeling with the group in such a short time? Nothing. Probably they didn’t have enough time to hate me. I relied on their pride pushing them and motivating them. Formation? Tactically I didn’t change anything. It would have been absurd changing after the recent positive performances. After Roma and Milan another important win in Lecce? We showed quality with Delio Rossi in away matches. We avoided the humiliation. I congratulate all the players and in particular Cerci, Behrami, Felipe and Marchionni”.

“I would have never imagined to take on a caretaker role at this point of the season. In the last ten months, any sort of thing has happened. People who know me know that I could never refuse to be the Viola manager”.

What do you see in the team?

“The team is still shocked by what happened. It had an impact on them and they feel thorn inside. Today we trained as normal and the whole Club is behind us. Now we only need a point to be safe. All it matters now is saving this team”.

Did a door just open for Guerini?

“In two games the door will be locked firmly”.

On Patron Andrea Della Valle:

“He’s shattered, shocked and saddened by what happened. He asked for a hand and I immediately said yes”.

How do you prepare the game against Lecce?

“We haven’t shown a spectacular football so far. Lecce will have to drive the game. We’re up against a very difficult start”.

What sort of memories will come back to your mind on your walk to the bench?

“Managing Fiorentina was the dream of my life. I was close to it when we were in C2 division. I am happy, but I wasn’t expecting to get in this position in a moment like this”.

On Delio Rossi:

“If we achieve safety, it will be down to the work he has done. I had a great felling with both Sinisa and Delio. My role has been accepted and appreciated by them”.

Was Rossi left alone?

“I spent 24 hours a day with him. The Club gave him full availability, because they had full trust on him. I am sorry when I read that he was left alone”.

On the formation:

“It would be stupid to change it at this point. We did well in away games recently. Unfortunately, Jovetic won’t make it tomorrow”.

Can he bite the bullet?

“Let me clarify that I never come across a young player who doesn’t enjoy to play”.

On the Rossi-Ljajic brawl?

“Nobody was expecting that reaction. The Club responded in the best way”.

Your personal opinion on that?

“I don’t want to talk about that anymore. I can only say that it can happen, but it’s a gesture that must be condemned”.

On Kharja:

“He didn’t do anything. He didn’t slam the door. He didn’t have an argument with Jovetic. He just said he wasn’t well and he preferred watching it on TV”.

On the team spirit:

“The 0-5 against Juventus was devastating. The majority of the players understood. I noticed a different spirit since then”.

On Montolivo:

“I congratulated him because it wasn’t easy taking a penalty in that moment. You must have character for that and he could have easily stood back. He has always made himself available and he should be praised for that. The Viola fans wanted him as their idol forever and they are understandably hurt now”.

“At the end of the match, I saw the footage of what happened in the dug-out just after Ljajic’s substitution. I took the decision of relieving the manager of his duties, due to the severity of his action. Tomorrow, we will talk with more calm. I have spoken to Rossi and I am sorry for the manager who is a decent person and he does not deserve this, but tonight he has committed a serious act”.

Then the Patron Andrea Della Valle has given the following statements in press room:

“Few seconds that unleashed months of stress. I am sorry, because the manager has never made such actions. I have to take this decision for his goodwill, so he can understand he was wrong. No provocation can justify that reaction. As a sign of respect to the person I trusted to take charge and re-build the team, I will not make an official appointment before tomorrow morning. Then you will now the name of our new manager. With the due proportions, we will take serious discipline measures for Ljajic too. It is not up to me justifying Delio Rossi, but he has never done anything like that. I am sorry to witness this in my 10th year at the Club and I believe the manager’s contribution helped us to win in Rome and Milan. I believed we would have achieved safety from relegation tonight and, definitely, I was not expecting to take this decision tonight. This team requires more unity if we want to avoid relegation. I know that at this moment Delio Rossi is suffering more than anyone else and I want to respect the work he has done here for us”.  

How do you digest the first defeat in April?

“We faced a tough opponent. After conceding the goal, we weren’t hungry enough in front. Nevertheless, I must compliment my players for the commitment shown today”.

What’s the mood among the team?

“They are sorry. A wrong day should not ruin the good thing we have done in the last games”.

Jovetic’s penalty?

“It can happen. Ronald and Messi do miss penalties too”.

How’s Behrami?

“He incurred in a clavicle sub-luxation, thankfully without a fracture”.

The Novara game will be a defining one?

“Fans will be behind us. They understood this was a particular season”. 

Is it a return to Bergamo for you?

“I have managed many teams. Tomorrow, they will be our opponents, but they will never be enemies. I got to meet some real people there”.

On tomorrow’s line-up:

“We will have to build virtues out of necessities”.

On Neto’s debut:

“You can see the quality of your players in trainings, but you need to see them on the pitch  before you can make a full assessment. He’s going to have a great chance tomorrow”.

On Atalanta:

“They are the real revelation of this season. It will be one of our toughest away matches”.

How is Ljajic’s career proceeding?

“He’s on the right path. He must focus on his professional target”.

What was the reason behind moving forward the start of the pre-match retreat? 

“It can have a positive impact on the athlete’s rest and nutrition. Personally, I even prefer a post-match retreat more than a pre-match one. It is a good way of recovering energies and monitoring the physical condition of the team”.

Is tomorrow’s match the defining one?

 “We will draw conclusions at the end of the season”.

What do you expect from your team tomorrow?

“The same performance of Milan”.

On the youngsters:

“I have no preconceptions against anyone. We play every three days. The younger players feel less pressure in this moment, but I will need everyone’s help from here to the end of the season”.

Will  you spare Jovetic to have him ready for the game against Novara?

“Absolutely not. We must only focus on Novara”.

Who is Delio Rossi?

“I am not a clown, I don’t dance in front of fans. I would like to be judged for the things I do”.

What if this team had woken up earlier?

“You won’t go too far with ifs and buts”.

Is the nightmare over?

“Safety has still to be achieved. We deserved for what we did in the first half, but then we struggled in the second half. I am happy for the lads, because this is a strange season”.

More self-belief after the last wins?

“You grow self-esteem by the way you act on the pitch. The youngsters have brought a pinch of light-hearted spirit”.

Cerci’s substitution?

“He had a small problem. I had to send in someone fresh. Fiorentina hadn’t won in Rome for 20 years”.

“We played with our hearts out and we bagged three crucial points. It was a great feeling winning it while wearing the captain’s armband!” (Jovetic was replaced few minutes earlier ED.)

“I am very happy for what I have done and for Lazzari’s goal. There’s still more to do before being safe, but we think match after match. We are a very good team and we can and must win every game. I am sorry to have missed that penalty, for my teammates, for the Club and for the fans. It was important winning today. What did Jovetic say to me in the dressing room? Nothing in particular”.

On Montolivo:

“Let’s see if he can recover for next Sunday”.

In Rome with plenty of strikers:

“I am glad I have finally plenty of choice”.

How did you see Jovetic today?

“He’s given full availability. He’s able to play. At this point of the season you’re either in or out. The mental condition makes the difference at this point, not the physical condition”.

On Roma’s troubles:

“It’s not easy starting a long-term project. I already said that our destiny is in our hands. There’s no point in looking at numbers, we must play every game at our best”.

Will you pick seniors or youngsters for tomorrow’s game?

“I must keep in mind several situations”.

On Behrami:

“He’s not at his best, but he has given availability, as always”.

On the incidents in Genoa:

“I am not a moralist. In my opinion, this is a false problem. Those are the same criminals we see wandering in our towns. Police are aware of that. if you are a criminal you should not be allowed to enter a stadium”.

On his future:

“I am paid and I believe in what I do. I put all my professionalism. I have chosen Florence and I would like to keep this project going, because so far I couldn’t fully accomplish that. Then it’s fair that the Club’s decision is based on the current situation ”.

On Nastasic:

“It’s an old youngster. He’s already very mature and professional for his age. He can play in San Siro on in the backyard of his house and it wouldn’t make a difference to him”.

On Camporese:

“He needs a bit of trust. He must stay totally focused from the morning to the night”.

What would you like to see from your team tomorrow?

“A team with a clear head that plays with the same spirit of the last games”.

Here they are in alphabetical order:

AMAURI, BEHRAMI, BORUC, CAMPORESE, CASSANI, CERCI, DE SILVESTRI, FELIPE, GAMBERINI, JOVETIC, KHARJA, LAZZARI, LJAJIC, MANFREDINI, NASTASIC, NATALI, NETO, OLIVERA, ROMULO and  SALIFU.

Injured: Kroldrup, Montolivo e Vargas.