Fiorentina general manager Sandro Mencucci goaded Milan by insisting “we finished third on the field.”
Fiorentina general manager Sandro Mencucci goaded Milan by insisting “we finished third on the field.”
The phrase refers to the one Juventus use to describe the Scudetto titles stripped in Calciopoli, as they wrote ‘30 sul campo’ – 30 on the field – on the inside collar of their jerseys.
“It was an exceptional season, regardless of yesterday’s results,” declared Mencucci on the official club website.
“We finished fourth in the Serie A table, but third on the field. We picked up 70 points, so it’s unthinkable to miss out on the Champions League with these results.
“We brought great enthusiasm back to Florence and must begin again from this. At a certain stage, we all thought we could reach third place, as Milan seemed to be struggling in Siena.”
The Rossoneri were losing 1-0 until the 84th minute, when a soft Mario Balotelli penalty and Philippe Mexes goal turned it around for the 2-1 victory.
“Controversy over referees? We never want to raise the temperature, but this is the situation now and we have to accept it.
“When such an important target is reached with such a small gap from the others, it is difficult not to think how it might’ve gone without certain errors.
“These errors were in good faith, but they can still have a big effect on the campaign. If there were some mistakes, then we all regret it.
“There is a lot of bitterness, but also great enthusiasm, as this Fiorentina finished third on the field: it means we worked well and can do well next season too.”