SPAL Coach Leonardo Semplici admits it is strange for him to be at the Stadio Franchi. “I was born and raised in Florence, I’m a Fiorentina fan.”
It kicks off at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
“It’s a special game, as I was born and raised in Florence, I’m a Fiorentina fan, but once the referee blows his whistle, it’s all forgotten for 90 minutes,” Semplici told Mediaset Premium before kick-off.
SPAL Coach Leonardo Semplici admits it is strange for him to be at the Stadio Franchi. “I was born and raised in Florence, I’m a Fiorentina fan.”
It kicks off at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
“It’s a special game, as I was born and raised in Florence, I’m a Fiorentina fan, but once the referee blows his whistle, it’s all forgotten for 90 minutes,” Semplici told Mediaset Premium before kick-off.
“We are facing the form team in Serie A right now, but confident we can play our game and take away some precious points.
“We learned some valuable lessons from the first half of the season, the team matured with many debutants in the top flight and now we are reaping the rewards with the characteristics of our players.
“I hope my friends and family don’t shout at me too much during the game and let me focus on the touchline!”
Semplici has already said he is fiercely proud of the way the city has reacted to the tragic death of Fiorentina captain Davide Astori.
“The identity the Fiorentina team has taken on since the Astori tragedy has been used positively, by the squad, the club, Coach Pioli and we Florentines, so that unity and determination is what I fear the most as an opponent.”