Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi admits he always thinks about Davide Astori and explains why Vincenzo Italiano is similar to Antonio Conte.
The 29-year-old spoke to La Repubblica ahead of Fiorentina’s Serie A clash against Juventus.
La Viola have three points more than Juventus ahead of their meeting at the Allianz Stadium.
“Italiano has already given this team a new identity, he is like a hammer and he is very demanding,” said Biraghi.
“He always wants to raise the bar and in this respect, he is very similar to Conte.”
Biraghi worked under Conte in 2019-20 during the coach’s first season in charge of Inter.
The Italian tactician has been appointed by Tottenham and Spurs are targeting Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic for January.
“Vlahovic can make the difference in any team, he has the qualities to become one of the best strikers in the world. He is among the most prolific strikers in 2021 along with Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski,” the 29-year-old said.
Vlahovic won’t sign a contract extension with Fiorentina and according to multiple reports in Italy, La Viola could sell him in January even if his current deal at the Stadio Artemio Franchi runs out in June 2023.
Biraghi was part of the Fiorentina squad when Davide Astori suddenly died on the eve of Udinese-Fiorentina in March 2018. He was not just a teammate, but also a close friend of Astori.
At the end of every home game, Biraghi raises his captain armband in front of the Curva Fiesole.
“It’s a way to remember him to those teammates who weren’t there that day and who didn’t know him,” he said.
“As long as I’m here, I’ll always honour him on and off the pitch. If I have reached these levels, if I wear the armband with this character, it is also thanks to him. He is always in my mind, on the pitch and in the locker room.”