Sergio Mattarella, the President of Italy, wished Inter and Fiorentina a ‘match of great sporting standard’ in their Coppa Italia final.
Delegations from the two teams – featuring players, the coaches and management staff – met the President at the Quirinal Palace in Rome on the eve of the Coppa Italia final. Also in attendance were CONI president Giovanni Malagò, Lega Serie A president Lorenzo Casini, FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and Italy coach Roberto Mancini.
Inter and Fiorentina are in a similar position heading into the Coppa Italia final. Both teams have disappointed in Serie A this season but impressed in the cups, both reaching European finals in the Champions League and Europa Conference League.
Mattarella addressed Inter and Fiorentina today, wishing them well and discussing his memories of the two clubs.
“I will await the result with complete impartiality, not only because this is my role, which requires me, if anything, to cheer for the referees and not for the teams. Inter and Fiorentina have a very important history behind them.
“Because of my age. I remember Costagliola’s Fiorentina and Lorenzi’s Inter, and after a few years I followed with attention, participation, and involvement the Fiorentina of Cervato, Montuori, Julinho and Virgili.
“And after a few years, with equal involvement, participation and attention, the Inter of Angelo Moratti and Helenio Herrera, that of Burgnich and Facchetti, of Suarez and Corso.
“You have a great history that you have shown you honour by performing at the level of these great champions of the past. I’m sure it will be a match of great sporting standard, with no deliberate dangerous fouls, no dives.
“And I hope that the fans who will follow one team and the other at the stadium will respect each other, applauding both teams at the end, whatever happens.”
Fiorentina have not lifted the Coppa Italia since the 2000-01 season, whilst Inter won the competition last season after beating Juventus in the final.