Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini reacted to insults from Fiorentina fans by ensuring he will be given an even harsher welcome in future. ‘I understand they are frustrated to see us overtake them.’
The coach was subjected to a series of insulting chants from the ultras at the Stadio Artemio Franchi this evening, when his team emerged with a 3-2 defeat.
There is a very long history of tension between the sets of fans, but above all the Viola supporters dislike Gasperini and that is unlikely to improve after his press conference in Florence.
“These two clubs are always fighting for the same targets, six years out of seven it has gone better for us, so I understand Fiorentina fans are frustrated to see Atalanta overtake them,” said the coach.
Fiorentina used to be part of the so-called Seven Sisters in Serie A, the biggest clubs that would start out challenging for silverware.
After returning to the top flight from bankruptcy, their place has been taken by Atalanta.
Gasperini was not done and continued to criticise the Fiorentina supporters for the atmosphere they provided to Atalanta.
“They treat us like a big club, these are the insults that usually are reserved for the most important teams. It’s not pleasant, but at times does feel like the pot calling the kettle black.”
Gasp actually used a rather more colourful Italian version of that phrase, which directly translated to “a stadium of oxen saying donkeys have horns.”
The ‘have horns’ is again an Italian phrase that also means your partner is cheating on you.