Articles by Stefano Ursolini

About Stefano Ursolini

The son of a leading Florentine art dealer, Stefano initially worked in the Uffizi Gallery. He went into journalism and soon became a popular stringer writing on Tuscan wines, art and football. Stefano lives with his partner Umberto in the Santa Croce quarter of Florence. A dedicated supporter of AC Fiorentina his elegant articles on the Viola as well as the Serie A have earned him an appreciative global audience. More Posts

Fiorentina file: Fiorentina 2 Roma 0

Fiorentina easily disposed of Roma last night. We were awarded a penalty in the opening minutes, converted by Nico Gonzalez and later Giacometti Bonaventura added a second. Roma – managed by Jose Mourinho and with some well known Premiership names in the team (Chris Smalling, Rui Patricio [...]

May 10, 2022 // 0 Comments

Fiorentina file: Torino 4 Fiorentina 0

The Italian incubo means “nightmare” and crollo “collapse” or “meltdown”. Both words are apt to describe Fiorentina’s defeat yesterday in the rearranged match at Torino. Fiorentina fielded a strong team with Italian international Castrovili alongside [...]

January 11, 2022 // 0 Comments

Fiorentina File: Fiorentina 2 Sassuolo 2

I do not follow rugby- our Italian team always seems to finish bottom in the Six Nations – but I did read the post yesterday about Harlequins with interest. Fiorentina do put winning before entertaining but you are normally assured a good game because they are so unpredictable. One person [...]

December 20, 2021 // 0 Comments

View from abroad: Fiorentina 4 Milan 3/Clermont Ferrand 1 Nice 2

Once again we saw an exciting spectacular – this time between la Viola and serie a leaders Milan. Fiorentina were at one stage leading 3-0 but Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a hat trick for the Rossoneri and we were hanging on. Star striker 21 year old Vlahavic has a reputed £80m price tag. There [...]

November 22, 2021 // 0 Comments

Fiorentina file: Juventus 1 Fiorentina 0

It’s bad enough to lose to arch enemy Juventus but to do so in the 91st minute to a goal from ex-Viola Juan Caudrado is what you English say is the biscotti … I have followed the argument in the Rust whether a coach/manager makes a difference. In Fiorentina’s case the appointment of [...]

November 8, 2021 // 0 Comments

Fiorentina file: Roma 3 Fiorentina 1

Last night Fiorentina lost 3-1 to Roma in a thriller at the Olimpico. It was Jose Mourinho’s first game in charge of Roma and there were several faces familiar in their red and yellow strip to English fans; Patricio (Wolves) in goal, Mikitaryan in midfield and now Tammy Abraham from Chelsea. They [...]

August 23, 2021 // 0 Comments

The final : an Italian view

There has always been a respect from Italians for f English football. The word mister is often used to describe the Italian manager , the Juventus jersey of black and white stripes came from England ‘s oldest football club Notts. County and clubs Milan and Genoa have British not Italian [...]

July 9, 2021 // 0 Comments

The Euros: from an Italian perspective

It’s not just in The Rust that Italy are regarded as team of the tournament. The team, without a big name, have discovered the right mix under Robert Mancini and are unbeaten in 31 games. Last night’s performance against Austria (2-1 after extra time) was more – as you say – [...]

June 27, 2021 // 0 Comments

Ciao from Florence

We had a more severe lockdown than you maybe because we Italians are not too good at respecting the law! Messaging my friends and colleagues on the National Rust, I understand that at every level English lockdown is a matter of interpretation, usually in favour of the person deciding. As with [...]

May 31, 2020 // 0 Comments

Fiorentina file: Fiorentina 0 Genoa 0

The high hopes of new owner US media billionaire Rocco Commisso are dissipating. We are still mid-table and the only real evidence of his financial backing is we still have Federico Chiesa. Over the last few years there has been a revolving door of talented players from Florence like Alonso [...]

January 26, 2020 // 0 Comments

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Max Schmelling/ The Good German

March 4, 2026 // 0 Comments

In the unlikely event that I would be asked to nominate a Great Life on Matthew Parris ‘ show my choice would be the Black Uhlan Max Schmelling. In the 1930s thee [...]
The Tanner Report : Fulham 2 spurs 1

March 3, 2026 // 0 Comments

Prior to Fulham ‘s comfortable win over Spurs (2-1) I watched the big match Revisited featuring Chelsea 1 Arsenal 2 i guess in the early 70s It would be foolish to [...]
The Six Nations

February 24, 2026 // 0 Comments

The Six Nations continues to throw up surprises. England could not bounce back against Ireland , a resurgent Wales gave Scotland à close game with the Millennium Stadium [...]
Brentford 0 Brighton 2

February 23, 2026 // 0 Comments

The heat is off Fabian Hürzeler with Brighton ‘s 1st win in 13 games. Club owner Tony Bloom was not at the G Tech stadium due to a long planned family engagement but had [...]
The Tanner Report Stoke City 1 Fulham 2

February 16, 2026 // 0 Comments

The match reflected the gap between a middle of the table Premier side and à championship equivalent. Marco Silva rang 10. changes and his side nearly came undone after [...]