Why Italiano finally picked the same Fiorentina

Vincenzo Italiano explains why after 141 Fiorentina matches, he lastly picked the identical beginning XI for the 0-0 draw with Torino. ‘Thank goodness we didn’t lose.’

The sport began with a shock, as for the primary time since taking cost of the Viola in 2021, Italiano picked the identical beginning XI for 2 matches in a row, ending the run of 141 completely different line-ups.

“Thank goodness we didn’t lose,” joked Italiano on Sky Sport Italia.

“I believed the XI that did so properly towards Lazio deserved to maintain their locations. We did nevertheless change just a few features of those gamers, as for instance Lucas Beltran was extra of a pure striker in the present day, as we wanted him alongside Belotti. They have been the identical gamers, however with completely different features.”

All of it gave the impression to be going their method, as Duvan Zapata noticed a purpose disallowed for a push on Nikola Milenkovic and Samuele Ricci was harshly despatched off for dissent on the stroke of half-time.

Nonetheless, they have been nonetheless unable to interrupt down the 10-man Granata and this can really feel like a missed alternative, particularly going into the Convention League with Maccabi Haifa on Thursday.

“The remorse is that we must always’ve carried out way more with the additional man, but when Torino focus solely on defending, they turn out to be very troublesome to interrupt down. It’s a level, allow us to attempt to look on the intense aspect.

“Sadly, this occurs when two very related groups face off, they’ll neutralise one another and the sport turns into ugly. It’s our seventh sport towards Torino they usually’ve just about all been like this.”

It ended with ugly scenes, as Ivan Juric was despatched off and Italiano booked for a touchline row, however La Repubblica and Sky Sport Italia report the Torino coach made a ‘throat-slitting’ gesture and related phrase when storming off.

“I didn’t see any gesture. I feel he misunderstood my intentions, I used to be speaking to the fourth official, adrenaline can do unusual issues to you in these conditions. It’s wonderful, it isn’t the primary time it occurred, we shake fingers and stick with it.”

Italiano later did exactly that, interrupting Juric’s interview with Sky Sport Italia to hug the Torino coach and put the strain behind them.

“Somewhat than controversy, I would like this picture to be the one that’s proven and that individuals bear in mind over the following week.”

#Fiorentina, #Italiano: “L’arbitraggio fa parte del gioco: nel secondo tempo potevamo recriminare qualcosa noi”https://t.co/fuFzlthmMq

— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) March 2, 2024