Fiorentina file : Fiorentina 0 Atalanta 0

I wish I could say something interesting about this goalless bore draw. Maybe it was the early start at 12-30 on a Sunday but the match never came to life. Fiorentina lie in the bottom half and there is widespread dissatisfaction that there has been little investment in new players especially as €25m was received for Alonso from Chelsea.

So I thought it might be more interesting for you readers to have a short history of  Fiorentina. The late 50s were the golden era of our football when we won the scudetto and finished up runners up 5 consecutive seasons. We were the first Italian  side to reach the final of the European Cup, losing to Real Madrid in Madrid and the first Italian side to win a European trophy when we beat Rangers Glasgow as we call the Scottish team. After that came the dominance of the 2 Milan clubs in European and domestic competition but we won our second scudetto in 1968. After that there were some strong Viola sides notably that of Batisuta and Rui Costa but a third scudetto seemed unlikely. Lately we have been finishing 4th but serie a now only admits 3 teams to the Champions League.

Under the ownership of the Dalle Valle brothers who own Mr Tod shoes the club is financially more stable than in the the Cecchi Geri era which ended in demotion for financial irregularities. Clever business has been done especially with Chelsea and Manchester City. They were sold Alonso, Caudrado, Jovetic and Natasic for €100m. In the other direction Pizzaro (Manchester City) Alonso  (Bolton) Borja Valero (West Bromwich Albion) all made a great input and Borja Valero still does. We have some skillful players ending in ‘ic’ which reflects capable Balkan players – Jovetic, Tomaisic, Ilacic, Milic and the Croatian Badelj who refuses to sign a new contract. Tataresanu the Romanian national keeper is a reliable last line in defence. Yet it’s not a side that will challenge Juventus or even Roma and Napoli who have replaced the Milan clubs in the top three.

One difference between English and Italian football is that we have maintained the integrity of the national side. I watched with amazement as another English manager was caught in a sting and you are running out of options. Conversely in Italy the last three coaches Antonio Conte, Cesare Prandelli and Lippi have all managed top clubs and are highly respected. Also the Italian press might criticise tactics but personal life intrusion and stings are off limits.