Fiorentina defender Alvaro Odriozola didn’t expect Dusan Vlahovic to leave in January and says he is happy in Florence: ‘I have fun and live in a wonderful city.’
The Spaniard moved to the Artemio Franchi on loan from Real Madrid last summer. The Tuscans do not have an option to make his move permanent but will hold talks with the Merengues in the coming weeks. La Viola are preparing to host Juventus and their ex-striker Dusan Vlahovic in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals tomorrow.
“The defeat against Sassuolo made us angry, but we must get over it and react knowing how important this game is,” Odriozola told Tuttosport.
“We know Vlahovic well, which could be good for him and us. He is a phenomenon, but we have the quality to mark him.
“I admit that I didn’t expect to see him leave in January, but these things must be accepted. He gave his all until he stayed here, he has the technical qualities to become like Benzema or Lewandowski,” the 22-year-old added.
“He has the ambition to become the No.1 in the world. Now we have two great strikers in Piatek and Cabral, who have already scored six goals. They are doing well and Fiorentina made an excellent choice.”
Odrizola was also asked about his future in Tuscany and whether he’d like to remain at Fiorentina permanently.
“I am enjoying the present without thinking about the future. We’ll understand what to do at the right time,” the defender said.
“I am delighted to be here and I want to clarify that I don’t miss the big stages. I am happy here, I feel at home, in a wonderful city, and have fun playing with this team. The Coppa Italia would be my Champions League.”
One of the reasons why he’s settled in Florence seems to be Vincenzo Italiano’s playing style.
“Our coach is really strong. His ideas are the key to continue improving,” the 26-year-old said.
“I don’t know which one has been our best game, maybe the 6-0 win against Genoa and not only because I scored. Not even with Real Madrid, I ever won with a similar result. In that match, we did exactly what our coach had asked. It was where we showed his idea of football.”
Odriozola has played 21 games with Fiorentina this season, scoring one goal and delivering one assist. His contract with Real Madrid expires in June 2024.
#Odriozola: "#FiorentinaJuve vale un Clasico. Vlahovic come Benzema e Lewandowski" https://t.co/mdwEb2zyJy
— Tuttosport (@tuttosport) March 1, 2022