May 29th, 2000

          For now it's Toldo

          By Luca Calamai

          Florence -- Italy's coach, Dino Zoff doesn't have a regular
          goalkeeper yet. "We are now equal. Gigi Buffon will be a loyal
          'competition'. No back stabbing here", said Fiorentina number 1
          keeper, Francesco Toldo.

          Today in Coverciano you will start working together

          "Gigi and I have a good relationship. We are also roommates. I
          believe that I will speak to him"

          To tell him something?

          "I wish to be a European protagonist but if Zoff had to choose
          him as the keeper, I will serenely accept the role of the
          deputy"

          Zoff hasn't told you anything during the first training?

          "No, I think that the coach has not made a decision yet."

          What do you think of the choice of Peruzzi who's not willing to
          be the third choice goalkeeper?

          "That's understandable. Peruzzi's decision doesn't surprise me"

          And so Antonioli has arrived

          "We grew up together in Milan. He was the third choice
          goalkeeper of the first team when we were playing in the youth
          team"

          From Milanello to the National team

          "Antonioli remembered when I failed to dive to the right. This
          'defect' of mine had become a well known story. I remember
          Carmignani was angry. But the story was simple: I had a painful
          bursitis but I didn't tell anybody. I told Antonioli the truth
          and he had a good laugh."

          You were able to take Antonioli's place in Roma

          "We have talked about it"

          That's history now?

          "If by 6th of June Fiorentina's leaders don't respect their
          promise, I will ask to be surrendered?

          To Roma

          "I will ask to be surrendered"

          Is this the first time your position is uncertain?

          "It has happened before when I was bought by Fiorentina. In
          Serie B, Partimmo, Scalabrelli and I were equal. During the
          pre-season training I wasn't called. Also before the World cup,
          I was on the list of players summoned but then I was left out."

          In what sense?

          "Maldini made a big deal of a couple or mistakes I had committed
          in the semifinal of Cup winners Cup to promote Pagliuca"

          It's now up to Zoff to decide

          "When I was little, Zoff was my hero. I still have his autograph
          which I preserve jealously"

          Where will Italy arrive?

          "Far away, and you know why? Because we will start with calm,
          without too many responsibilities. In Euro '96, we were the
          favourite and it ended badly"

          The possible final?

          "Italy-Germany"

          Italy's revelation?

          "Fiore"

          The two protagonist goalkeepers?

          "Barthez and Vitor Baia"

          Three gunners to watch out for?

          "Raul, Bierhoff and... Rui Costa"

          It was said that Toldo has been the best goalkeeper in the
          championship

          "I had a positive season. I don't have a secret to reveal.
          Really, to tell you the truth I only have one person to thank"

          Who?

          "My fiancee Manuela, who will become my wife next month. If you
          have the right woman beside you, everything becomes easier"

          You are now valued at more than 50 million

          "The important thing is not to be conditioned by these figures.
          I admit that I have always lived with serenity and I don't let
          myself affected by the market rumours. By now I am more
          matured..."

Taken from La Gazzetta Dello Sport
www.gazzetta.it/lagazzetta
English translation by Jas (www.fiorentina-online.com)