Vincenzo Italiano explained why football in Florence is such a difference experience: ‘Here the Viola jersey is a reason for living.’ Fiorentina have enjoyed an impressive start to the new campaign, beating title holders Napoli in a 3-1 rout shortly before the international break. Speaking about life in Florence with La Stampa, Italiano explained the passion for football in the city while also touching on the rise of Jude Bellingham and the recent betting scandal in Italian football:
‘I began in 2015, at Luparense San Paolo. The first team was in Serie D, I was coaching the trainees. In the game we were doing all the things we had tried during the week. I realised the path was right. The coach has enormous responsibilities compared to those who play.
“Bellingham? He knows how to do everything. There was a time when phenomena came from us, it’s cyclical, now it’s England’s turn. Betting? They are individual mistakes and weaknesses, I don’t like our whole footballing world to be besmirched. One thing must be clear: the footballer cannot bet and if he does he must be punished”.
“Florence is different. Here the Viola jersey is a reason for living. Commisso? When he is in Italy we see each other every day. Winning at Napoli gave us an important conviction, I would like to improve on last year’s seventh-eighth place.”
“My failed move to Napoli a lost opportunity? No, it’s the stadium where I won four times out of five….”
