Fiorentina President Rocco Commisso was afraid the ‘referee would give Juventus a gift’ and mocked Pavel Nedved, while he’s not surprised Federico Chiesa was given rough treatment.
It was not a good 2020 for the Viola, but it did end on a high with the shock 3-0 victory away to old rivals Juventus.
“I watched the game with my wife and I was scared until the third goal, because I knew that sooner or later the referee could give Juve a gift,” Commisso told Radio Bruno in a very lengthy interview.
Fiorentina President Rocco Commisso was afraid the ‘referee would give Juventus a gift’ and mocked Pavel Nedved, while he’s not surprised Federico Chiesa was given rough treatment.
It was not a good 2020 for the Viola, but it did end on a high with the shock 3-0 victory away to old rivals Juventus.
“I watched the game with my wife and I was scared until the third goal, because I knew that sooner or later the referee could give Juve a gift,” Commisso told Radio Bruno in a very lengthy interview.
“I saw the blondie (referencing Pavel Nedved), who last year told me to drink a nice cup of tea. Well, I hope he had a chamomile tea, seeing as he was so agitated in the stands.
“I saw the determination that I wanted. Everyone was together in the team and gave their all.”
Fiorentina players showed little mercy to their former teammate Chiesa, who was on the end of some rough treatment, and Commisso is not surprised.
“Perhaps they wanted to defend the club and their President. When a player walks out the way he did, well… I can only advise people not to burn their bridges and try to remain humble, but that’s not what he did.”
The club sacked coach Beppe Iachini to bring in Cesare Prandelli, although the situation had already been in the balance by narrowly avoiding relegation last season.
“What everyone needs to understand is that when I bought Fiorentina, they weren’t in the top four. I was criticised for saying the objective was just to be in the top half of the table, but why should I say we are targeting a Champions League place when that is not the reality of the situation?
“Everyone wants to achieve great results, but people must give me time and allow me to make some mistakes. What really hurt me was when a few journalists said they hoped we’d lose against Parma so that Iachini would be fired.
“We had ended last season very well, which is why I thought it was right to keep Iachini.”
Commisso also warned the financial difficulties are extensive, especially after the pandemic.
“The Fiorentina revenue has been decimated, thank goodness for my company Mediacom, who put €50-60m in, not counting the money to build the training ground.
“I repeat, Fiorentina need a new stadium. If you don’t want me to build it, then you do it with your money and whatever you want. If it’s my money, I do what I want with it.
“The Stadio Franchi should be moved, it can’t be near to the road. It should be demolished and moved.”