Ex-Fiorentina President Vittorio Cecchi Gori explains the difference between Dusan Vlahovic and Roberto Baggio: ‘Roby didn’t want to join Juventus.’
Vlahovic returns to the Artemio Franchi for the first time tonight after his €80m move to the Allianz Stadium in January.
Cecchi Gori’s father Mario bought Fiorentina in 1990, just after Roberto Baggio’s controversial move to Juventus.
“He [Baggio] had just been sold by the Pontello family,” Cecchi Gori told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“He had a strong bond do Florence. We had dinner together once and he told me: ‘How can I go to Juventus?’ in the end he did well. His rapport with Fiorentina fans didn’t collapse because of that scarf he picked up on his return to Florence.”
Baggio missed a penalty on his return to the Artemio Franchi with Juventus (April 6, 1991) and picked up a Fiorentina scarf that had been thrown to him after he was subbed off.
“Vlahovic left only a few weeks ago, so timing is not helpful,” continued Cecchi Gori.
“It was a matter of money, he wanted to join a team that would offer him a higher salary. Juventus fight for the Serie A title and European cups every season and could meet his desires.
“Vlahovic is not Baggio. He is a good player and his real value will emerge in the most difficult games.”