Giuseppe Rossi has revealed the ‘incredible emotion’ felt in scoring last season’s hat-trick for Fiorentina against Juventus.
In his autobiography My Way, presented in Florence today and co-written with journalist Alessandra Bocci, the forward dwells on last year's memorable 4-2 victory.
“It's enough to experience a happiness beyond all limits,” he admits, in a part of the book previewed in the Gazzetta dello Sport today.
“Not unlike what I felt after Fiorentina-Juventus.
Giuseppe Rossi has revealed the ‘incredible emotion’ felt in scoring last season’s hat-trick for Fiorentina against Juventus.
In his autobiography My Way, presented in Florence today and co-written with journalist Alessandra Bocci, the forward dwells on last year's memorable 4-2 victory.
“It's enough to experience a happiness beyond all limits,” he admits, in a part of the book previewed in the Gazzetta dello Sport today.
“Not unlike what I felt after Fiorentina-Juventus.
“It was an extremely heartfelt match, and at half-time, when we were trailing by two goals, it seemed like a desperate struggle, but then it turned into something like an apotheosis.
“When I came into the pitch I felt invaded by a wave of warmth, but also a bit of nervousness.
“Before us were Juventus, the eternal rivals, that Fiorentina hadn't beaten in a while.
“There was an expectation that this time we'd do it, because the team was playing very well.
“It's often the case that you feel like you're riding the wave, then the wave runs you down. In the first half we drowned.”
El Pepito was the protagonist of the second half, scoring three goals and leading his team to a 4-2 victory.
“I can't explain when and how something clicked, but I know that in the second half our attitude was different, and the first signal was a phenomenal save by Neto against [Claudio] Marchisio.
“I scored the first goal on a penalty, then I got the ball from Mati Fernandez, who had gained possession in the midfield.
“I left behind one Juventus player and I felt like I was flying. The goal was on the distant post, and then it was a draw.
“It was something beautiful. It was a scene like in the movies, one of those American movies where the outfield comes just at the right time, or in which the horse overtakes the other racer just at the finishing line.
“I was more tired for the emotion than for the game. I saw people of 40 or 50 years who wept and the emotion was incredible.”
Rossi also had some things to say in defence of Italian football more generally.
“Football in Italy isn't as ugly as all that, it may just be the best from a tactical point of view.
“But if you aren't careful it can steal your soul, because it takes up the days of people.”
Rossi will be a spectator for this Friday’s League meeting between Fiorentina and Juventus, as he continues his recovery from a latest knee injury.