The Feud Of Fiorentina And Juventus (2): The Ritual Of Purification And The Oath Of Allegiance Mr. Trap

Giovanni Trapattoni, former Juventus coach who was accepted by the Firenze public after performing the Degobbizzazione ritual (Instagram @acffiorentinaen)

JAKARTA - As told in the first part of the story of the feud between Fiorentina and Juventus, Roberto Baggio was hijacked by the Bianconeri at the end of the 1989/1990 season. Since then, the transfer of players or coaches between the two clubs has become more selective.

In the era of the president of Vittorio Cecchi Gori, if the transfer market discussed the possibility of transferring players between the two clubs, then the 'halal' and 'unlawful' laws would speak. Even though in the end there is also a former Juvenino who wears Fiorentina uniforms, he must perform the 'Degobbizzazione' ritual - a symbol of purification, welcome and the oath of allegiance.

Literally, 'Degobbizzazione' can be interpreted as 'De-Juvenization' or the removal of everything that smells of Juventus. While the meaning of the word 'gobbo' (plural: 'gobbi') in Italian means hunchbacked, and can be interpreted as "bowed down" or "oppressed". A term stigmatized against Juventus supporters from the industrial city of Turin where the majority of the people work as factory workers.

As is well known, in the political upheavals throughout the world, the workers are the ones who are oppressed by the capitalists or the owners of capital. This is the origin of the word 'gobbo' which is attached to the Juventus tifosi.

As for the ritual required by the Gruppo Storico - the hard-line tifosi of Artemio Franchi - this also applies to Giovanni Trapattoni, the Juventus coach who is considered to have stolen the 1981/1982 Scudetto from Fiorentina. Trapattoni's involvement with the Bianconeri is what makes Fiorentina supporters not understand why Cecchi Gori signed him in the 1998/1999 season, replacing Alberto Malesani.

However, after Mr. Trap, as he is usually called, confirmed that he was free from the influence of Juventus and would dedicate himself to Fiorentina, the charismatic coach was accepted by tifosi.

️ Happy Birthday, @giovanni_iltrap #ForzaViola #Fiorentina #Trapattoni pic.twitter.com/Moquo7w7qO

— ACF Fiorentina English (@ACFFiorentinaEN) March 17, 2021

"I don't think my involvement with Juventus will affect my bond with Fiorentina," said Mr. The trap at that time was quoted from the 1998 edition of the Italian League magazine.

“Besides coaching Juventus, I have also managed Inter Milan, Cagliari and Bayern Munich. After coaching the three clubs I feel I have been 'clean the environment' (clean from the influence of Juventus),” he continued.

He also said that his son-in-law lives in Florence and is a big supporter of Fiorentina. So, he said, "There is already Fiorentina blood in my family."

In addition, Mr. Trap feels that Juventus is his main enemy, because in his second tenor of coaching in Turin, at the beginning of the 1994/1995 season, he was 'expelled' as coach and replaced by Marcelo Lippi.

Mr. Trap on his second tenor at Juventus (eufa.com)

"Juventus never appreciated people who have given glory to their club," he concluded.

Mr. Trap may not give Fiorentina the title. However, his success in bringing Gabriel Batistuta et al to the Champions League and defeating Manchester United plus Arsenal is a sweet note that the Florence public will not forget.