Sinisa Mihajlovic admits the hooligans who forced last year's match with Italy to be abandoned made him “ashamed of being Serbian.”
Sinisa Mihajlovic admits the hooligans who forced last year's match with Italy to be abandoned made him “ashamed of being Serbian.”
The Euro 2012 qualifier at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, where Mihajlovic played with Sampdoria” data-scaytid=”6″>Sampdoria for many years, was called off on October 12, 2010 when Serbian fans threw flares and seats on to the pitch, then tore up the protective netting and smashed in Plexiglas walls.
“A year ago, after the tumultuous events of Italy-Serbia, for the first time I was ashamed of being Serbian,” the Fiorentina” data-scaytid=”7″>Fiorentina Coach told ANSA news agency.
“At the time I felt disappointed and bitter, as it was one of the darkest pages in our football history. Now I have another sensation, the desire to make up for that.
“I have lived in Italy for almost 20 years, so this is an important match for me. Italy are a great side with an excellent Coach and have done very well in these qualifiers.”
Serbia welcome Italy to Belgrade on Friday evening and hope to qualify for the Euro 2012 play-offs, as the Azzurri already won the group.