“The doubt remains that if certain scenes had occurred in an Italian stadium, they would have provoked more than indignant reactions”, writes Poesio in Corriere Fiorentino
Ernesto Poesioon the columns of Florentine couriertakes stock of the Dutch away game of the Fiorentina. A trip that not only gave the return to Europe to the violabut which was also characterized by clashes between Dutch and Florentine ultras.
“Five years and 98 minutes of suffering until the last second. Fiorentina returns to Europe and will have to remember to erect a statue of Pietro Terracciano. But in Enschede, the Netherlands, everything happened. And much of what has been seen […] had little to do with football and the much-heralded fair play that UEFA has been pursuing with mixed success for years. Because the fiery climate and the passion of the fans are fine, much less statements like those of the coach Jans who for days has done everything to exacerbate the spirits. With the result of a violent eve with clashes between supporters and a game that was played more on the nerves than on the qualities of the men on the pitch. Continuous provocations, glasses thrown from the stands and the whole repertoire of what football at these levels should never show.
[…] The Italian team first of all had to hold up under the nervous aspect in order not to fall into the trap set by the Dutch. But it is precisely from situations like these that the teams acquire awareness and strengthen that group feeling which in the space of a season represents an additional weapon. Back in Europe, therefore, in the hope that the next away matches can represent moments of celebration and sport, both for the players and for the fans in tow.
Unfortunately, in recent years, there have been many episodes of violence that have surrounded European competitions. And very (too) often the protagonists were the supporters of the northern countries, many times brought perhaps too superficially for example of civilization and sportsmanship. The impression with which Fiorentina and their fans have left the Netherlands is certainly different. And the doubt remains that if certain scenes had happened in an Italian stadium, they would have provoked more than indignant reactions. […]
This is also why the presence of Italian clubs in Europe is important. Fiorentina are back at the UEFA table by right since yesterday. From which to try to make your voice heard. The impression is that it is really needed “.
The full article on today’s edition of Florentine courier.
