Nothing Has Changed With Fiorentina's Slogan: You Can Lose, As Long As It's Not From Juventus!

Martin Caceres dan Gaetano Castrovilli (Twitter @acfiorentina)

JAKARTA - When the referee blew the long whistle marking the end of the Juventus versus Fiorentina match, there the fans realized: there was no reason to hate this club. If the citizens of Firenze consider La Viola to be a second religion, fans in Indonesia treat her like a mistress. Exaggerated?

Fiorentina travel to Juventus headquarters, Allianz Stadium, in Week 14 of Serie A, Wednesday 23 December. Before kick-off, Fiorentini was ready to accept any results. No more grandiose desires, other than surrender accompanied by curses.

Not without reason. This season Fiorentina has been very bad. Since being held by coach Cesare Prandelli - who returned to Tuscany after leaving 10 years ago - La Viola has never won in 6 league games. German Pezzella et al only drew three times and suffered three defeats.

Further. Throughout the 2020/2021 season, the club with the lily logo has only won two victories and was shackled in 16th position with 11 points. Only two strips from the abyss of relegation so that the shadow of the 2001-2002 season often haunts.

The pattern of play without direction, the ball that often twirled in the middle, poor finishing, and the absence of a distinguishing figure in the team made Fiorentina like a shooting club. Imagine, Artemio Franchi is no longer haunted by the opposing team!

A team like Benevento, which has just been promoted to Serie A, can win at the home of the people of Firenze. Meanwhile Sampdoria, Genoa, Sassuolo and Verona were able to steal a point at Fiorentina's 'holy altar'. What kind of team is this?

Curses and insults were directed at club president Rocco B. Commisso, technical director Daniele Prade, and coach Cesare Prandelli. The difference is, fans in Firenze are calmer than fans in Indonesia. Even though there are ultras there - a group of fanatical supporters who love to burn, they just need to put up a banner that says “Our love for the shirt is infinite. Our patience, no ... Wake up everyone! ”. While here, fans have ranted to curse relegation. And it is done in front of the idols they "worship", the screen!

Statement from the Curva Fiesole following another defeat for Fiorentina this weekend. “Our love for the shirt is infinite. Our patience, no ... Wake up everyone! " pic.twitter.com/41IBBGFfcH

- Chloe Beresford (@ChloeJBeresford) December 14, 2020

Since Stefani Pioli took charge of this team two years ago, then changed skipper to Vincenzo Montella and then to Giuseppe Iachini, fans have always been made anxious every time they watch Fiorentina matches. Being able to play a draw is already grateful. The only target is Salvezza, surviving the red zone.

Then Prandelli arrives and is expected to be the savior. But the sweet promise he made when he was presented virtually last November, was not proven. The result is HUGE ZERO.

Week 14 arrives. Pezzella et al travel to Allianz Stadium with mediocre capital. They will face a team that is inhabited by two former Fiorentina academy educated players, the duo Federico, Bernardeschi and Chiesa: the traitor! Also another former Fiorentino, Juan Cuadrado.

Only three minutes into the match, Dusan Vlahovic, who was often bullied by fans because he often wasted opportunities, broke into Wojciech Szczęsny's goal. Franck Ribery's delicious bait was successfully converted by the player's back number 9. The rest, as revealed by one of the Juventino on social media: "For Juventus, losing during the winter break is an insulting way."

Fiorentina Goes Crazy

Fiorentina started the match at Allianz Stadium to perfection. They opened the scoring when the game was only three minutes old. Starting from Franck Ribery's breakthrough bait to Dusan Vlahovic, the Serbian striker was able to beat Matthijs de Ligt in a run and beat goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

The situation took a turn for the worse for Juventus. Juan Cuadrado makes a dangerous tackle on Gaetano Castrovilli's shin. The referee initially only gave a yellow card, but after seeing VAR, he changed his decision by giving a red card.

Former Fiorentina player Federico Bernardeschi was brought on to replace Alvaro Morata in the second half. Ronaldo then gore the ball into the visitors' goal, but he was already in an off-side position.

In the midst of Juventus' striving for an equalizer, they conceded an own goal in the 76th minute. Christiano Biraghi's cross from the left to Christian Kouame is hit by Bonucci who tries to clear the ball, the ball then bounces off Alex Sandro and into the hosts' goal.

Moments later Juventus were hoping for a penalty when Bernardeschi was brought down by La Viola goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski. However, the referee thought there was no violation.

Entering the 81st minute, Fiorentina packed the last goal of the game. Ribery stole the ball from Bonucci to initiate a counter-attack, Biraghi rolled the ball from the left and Martin Caceres snatched it freely to break into the net of his former club.

“We dedicate this win to the fans, because they are by our side, they are suffering with us and I hope this will give understanding to all the efforts we have put in. "Hard work in the end paid off and we are still not there, because indeed we had a little luck with the initial red card," Prandeli said after the match, quoted by Football Italia.

"However, the players showed not only the character we were looking for, but also the courage I asked for."

This was Fiorentina's first Serie A win at Juventus since March 2008. At that time La Viola won 3-2, also under Prandelli.

Eternal Enmity

Not much is known about Fiorentina and Juventus' feud. Some people only know the name Torino (city club Juventus) or Inter Milan - which was 'cheated' by the Bianconeri in the 1997/1998 season - as the bitter enemies of the team based in the city of Turin. In fact, the embers between the two clubs have been burning for more than three decades.

Launching the book by M. Kusnaeni, Italian Football (1998), the incident began in the 1981-1982 season. Fiorentina, who was trained by Giancarlo De Sisti, defended the mascot Giancarlo Antognoni, who was starting to age. However, the coach added ammunition with a number of talented young players such as libero Pietro Vierchowod and striker Daniele Massaro.

For half the season Fiorentina led the league. It's just that, before the last match their score can be matched by Juventus. In the final party, Juventus visited Catanzaro, while Fiorentina went to Cagliari. This is where the sparks ignited.

Until the end of the first half, the positions were still equal without a goal. Observers began to discuss the possibility of determining the winner through a play-off match.

However, there was a horrendous scandal. In the second half La Viola scored by Francesco Graziani. But somehow the referee annulled. At the same time, Juventus were instead awarded a penalty scored by Liam Brady in the 75th minute.

The title flew to Turin accompanied by Fiorentini's sad cries. For weeks, they took to the streets to protest against referee leadership. But the FIGC (Italy's PSSI) did not budge and still validated the Juventus title. This decision will always remain in the hearts of La Viola fans. At that time they shouted the words "Meglio secondi che ladri," which translates to "It is better to be in second place than to be a thief".

That's also why the city of Firenze partyed the night away when Fiorentina beat Juventus 3-0 in the 1997-1998 season. For them the victory was like winning the Scudetto.

Firenze's public injury to Juventus is indeed very deep. After Juventus 'stole' the 1982 Scudetto from Fiorentina's grasp, the 1989-1990 Bianconeri season was acting up again.

Fiorentina recruited a talented young player, Roberto Baggio, from Vicenza in the 1985-1986 season. At his new club, this curly-haired player has transformed into an elegant and goal-hungry striker.

Four years later, together with Brazilian midfielder Carlos Dunga, Baggio led Fiorentina to advance to the UEFA Cup final. Again their opponent is Juventus.

In the first match in Turin, Fiorentina surrendered 1-3. But they are still optimistic that they can win the title by winning at home. But fate returned not on the side of Fiorentina. Because his supporters were considered to be causing trouble in Turin, Dunga et al prohibited Fiorentina from holding a second party at the Artemio Franchi stadium.

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Unfortunately, the 'neutral city' chosen was Avellino. This small town does not have a big club. But Fiorentina supporters remain unhappy. You see, the people of Avellino have a tradition of supporting Juventus. Sure enough, without the support of the local public, Fiorentina was forced to play a goalless draw. The title floated again.

Even more painful, a few weeks later, Juventus stabbed La Viola from behind. In the run-up to the 1990 World Cup, La Vecchia Signora bought Baggio for a record transfer fee - then - £ 8 million. Baggio admitted that he had no intention of leaving Firenze by saying; "I was forced to accept this transfer."

The whole city of Florence was inflamed. Angry supporters took it out through violent acts on city streets. Juventus flags were burned and about 50 people were injured. Juventus was accused of not only 'stealing' the Scudetto and UEFA Cup but their favorite star.

An angry La Viola Tifosi had stormed into the Italian national team's training camp in Coverciano, a small town near Firenze. The target was not only Baggio, but also Nicola Berti. A year earlier, Berti left Fiorentina for Inter Milan.

But the main target of the public's outrage is the president of Fiorentina, Lorenzo Righetti. He was seen as incompetent and greedy. As a result, Righetti was forced to sell his shares to entertainment entrepreneur Mario Cecchi Gori. Before dying, the billionaire then left the office of president of La Viola to his son, Vittorio.

When Baggio returned to Firenze the following season the guard against him was intense. The atmosphere of the stadium was tense because Fiorentina supporters were still furious.

The climax was when Juventus received a penalty. At that time, the hosts were one goal ahead through the execution of Diego Fuser. Baggio, the specialist in execution of Juventus penalties, suddenly refused to be the executioner. Obviously, not only the audience, the entire crew of the La Vecchia Signora were also confused.

Then Gigi De Agostini who took the execution failed to take advantage of it, then Baggio was pulled out to be replaced with another player. However, when he entered the locker room, he picked up a Fiorentina scarf which one of the fans had thrown onto the field. He kissed her and said: "Deep in my heart, I am always purple (Fiorentina's color)."

Roberto Baggio picks up the Fiorentina scarf that was thrown on the pitch (Twitter)

To be clear, Baggio's behavior is something that is also difficult for Juventini to forgive. But, Thomas Haesller, his teammate at the time, understood Baggio. “For the first time in my life, only then did I feel that I was not only playing against 11 people. But facing the whole stadium, "said the German midfielder.

After Baggio's departure, Fiorentina tried to overcome it by buying a young Argentine striker who later became a symbol of La Viola's superiority, Gabriel Omar Batistuta.

Degobbizzazione

After the Roberto Baggio theft incident by Juventus, the transfer of players between the two clubs became more selective. In the era of president Vittorio Cecchi Gori, 'halal' and 'haram' laws were even applied. Even though in the end there are former Juventus players in Fiorentina uniforms they have to perform the ritual 'Degobbizzazione' - a symbol of purification, welcome and an oath of allegiance. Yes, a kind of flower bath.

Literally, 'Degobbizzazione' can be interpreted as 'De-Juvenization' or the elimination of everything Juventus. Meanwhile, the meaning of the word 'gobbo' (plural: 'gobbi') in Italian means hunchbacked, and can be interpreted as "bowed down" or "oppressed". A term attached to Juventus supporters who come from the industrial city of Turin where the majority of people work as factory workers. As is well known, in political upheaval around the world, the workers are the oppressed by the capitalists or the owners of capital. This is the origin of the word 'gobbo' attached to Juventus' tifosi.

However, after Fiorentina was declared bankrupt and had to start working in Serie C2 in the 2002-2003 season, the club was taken over by shoe entrepreneur and entrepreneur in the leather sector, Diego Della Valle. In this era, the transfer of players from Fiorentina to Juventus or vice versa is more flexible.

Della Valle never saw the club's background. He looks more at the quality and youth of the player. Evidently, until the last season of Cesare Prandelli's first coaching era, 2009-2010, the results were quite satisfying. Fiorentina is respected in the Serie A and Champions League.

Adrian Mutu, Manuele Blasi, Enzo Marescha, Fabrizio Miccoli, Marco Marchioni, Cristiano Zanetti, Sergio Almiron, Christian Vieri, Amauri Carvalho and even coach Cesare Prandelli is Fiorentini from the past Juventus. On the other hand, Giorgio Chiellini, Valeri Bojinov, Emiliano Moretti, Felipe Melo and Luca Toni are former La Viola retainers who 'crossed' to La Vecchia Signora.

Although Della Valle has been more lenient in transfer policy, that does not mean that hostilities have cooled off. Luca Toni, for example (who defected to Juventus in the middle of the 2011-2012 season), despite having fond memories of La Viola, did not hesitate to say that he would celebrate a goal if he successfully found Fiorentina's goal when the two teams met in Week 33 at the Artemio Franchi.

“I have had two incredible seasons at Fiorentina. But if I score against them then I will celebrate because celebrating is not disrespectful to your former supporters, "said Toni as quoted by Sky Sport Italia.

Even though Toni's intention was not realized because the match which took place on April 17 ended in a goalless draw, his words still made Fiorentina's fans furious. Luckily, the striker who led Italy to win the 2006 World Cup was back in purple in the 2012-2013 season on a free transfer. He made an open statement about his love for Fiorentina.

"I'm happy to be back at home (Fiorentina). A lot has changed in this city, but I don't feel like I've been gone for six years. When the offer came, I immediately accepted. It's not easy to come to a city where I've contributed a lot, but I am happy and ready to act, ”said Toni as quoted by the Italian Football.

It's because of things like Toni (crossing) that the 'Degobbizzazione' ritual is not simply eliminated. And Marco Marchioni, the player who moved to Firenze in the 2009-2010 season, is another player to undergo this ritual. He was even visited directly by a group of militant fans named "Gruppo Storico" after undergoing a training session. Apart from undergoing the 'Degobbizzazione' ritual, Marchioni was also forced to promise to celebrate his first goal by running towards the Curva Fiesole (Fiorentina's most hardcore group of supporters) as proof of his devotion to Fiorentina.

Apart from Toni and Marchioni, Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo and Argentine Sergio Almiron also made public statements regarding his move. Melo, who crossed to the Bianconeri in the 2009-2010 season thanked and apologized to Fiorentina's tifosi. While Almiron, who joined the Purple Squad one season earlier, openly expressed his disappointment with the club who abandoned him, Juventus.

“I thank the La Viola fans for what they have given so far. They will always be in my heart. I apologize if there are now some, if not many, supporters who are angry with me. But this is the path I have to take. This move has a positive side for Fiorentina because they can invest from the proceeds from my sale, "Melo told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I'm here to prove Juventus wrong. I'm really more prepared and I want to prove my best here. I better not talk about that (Juve) anymore. Claudio Ranieri (Juve coach at that time) was one of the people who agreed that I was signed but then I was not given a place in his team, “explained Almiron.

Juventus Qualified

Entering the 2013-1014 season, the feud again heated up. Juventus as defending champions face Fiorentina in Week 8 of Serie A on October 20 at the Artemio Franchi stadium. In the first half, the Old Lady managed to excel through two goals from Carlos Tevez (tired, 37) and Paul Pogba (40).

After breaking into Norberto Murara Neto's goal, both Tevez and Pogba celebrated the 'machine gun' which became one of the hallmarks of the celebration of goals from Fiorentina legend Gabriel Batistuta in the 90s. As if to mock, Tevez aimed the 'machine gun' at Curva Fiesole while Pogba laughed.

Like provocation by two Juventus players, entering the second half of Fiorentina blindly scoring four goals. Starting with Giuseppe Rossi's penalty execution in the 66th minute, Rossi returned (76), then Joaquin Sanchez (78), and Rossi (81) closed it again. The score 4-2 for La Viola's victory lasted until the referee blew the long whistle.

At the end of the match, Fiorentina owner Andrea Della Valle made an insinuation at Juve. According to him, Antonio Conte's squad "qualified" because Tevez and Pogba's two goals mimicked the celebration of Fiorentina legend, Gabriel Batistuta.

“I saw the machine gun (celebration) and it gave us good luck. We responded with four shotguns, "said Della Valle as quoted by the Italian Football.

“This victory is truly extraordinary and with this we erase a lot of bad memories. It is important to find this spirit. We present this performance to all fans and everyone in this city. Firenze won, our hearts won too, we never gave up! ” he continued.

In the Serie A event, this victory will be Fiorentina's first over Juventus at home after the last they won 15 years ago. Uniquely, at that time Fiorentina won 1-0 through Gabriel Batistuta's single goal!

It is clear what the origins of the feud between Fiorentina and Juventus. To the extent that in Italy there have been calls, if Juve fans visit the city of Florence, don't wear white and black attributes. Instead of enjoying the holidays, militants chased them.

Blessing is a sign of love

If there are fans who curse when their favorite team loses, that's their way of showing love. Bursts of harsh words in front of the screen can be said to be reasonable, considering that their decision to cut sleep has ended in vain.

It's not easy to be a fan of a team like Fiorentina. Hoping not to lose every week, praying not to be relegated at the end of the season, or guessing without answers who the star players will be in the transfer market are commonplace. The patience of La Viola fans has been tested.

It's not that you don't want a trophy. Every club wants their trophy cabinet to be full. Moreover, Fiorentina has been fasting for the title for 19 years, starting from when Manuel Rui Costa brought La Viola to win the 2000-2001 Coppa Italia. But, when will the trophy come again?

Speaking of the Scudetto, maybe just dreams and grandiose targets. AC Milan, Inter Milan, Lazio, Napoli and AS Roma have been chasing Juventus for years. This is Fiorentina, a team that has a president labeled 'questionable' ambitions. For now, playing well and entertaining is more than enough.

It's not easy to be a Fiorentina fan. Impatient, can be 'crazy'. But, hope is always there. The 3-0 victory over Juventus in Week 14 of the 2020-2021 season did not make the Purple fly to the top of the standings. However, the slogan of the club which is headquartered in the birthplace of the 'Italian genius' or the Renaissance remains the same: "You can lose, as long as it's not from Juventus!"

Juventus 0 - Fiorentina 3. Game over!

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