February 18th, 2000

Toldo, more future in Viola

It's not easy to ask Francesco Toldo something
          about his future, by now the pact is clear: we don't ask and he
          doesn't respond, even if something is allowed to escape at the
          end. "I have talked to Cecchi Gori and he has told me that he
          wants to build a stronger Fiorentina. I am not able whether to
          be happy, considering that this has been my team for seven
          years"

          Possible translation: beloved friends, you know as well as I do
          that we will see him next season and who knows for more seasons
          to come. Better so, because it is difficult to find in the world
          someone better than him and perhaps more difficult to replace
          than some center forward. Meanwhile the Roma-Fiorentina match is
          here, a challenge poisoned by so many controversy. A president
          who has put against everybody. "What has happened in the week
          are over, I hope that possible penalties are given only if I am
          indeed there, the rest doesn't interest me. Against us Roma is
          still fighting for the 'scudetto'." Rui Costa and Pierini will
          be missed.

          "We also look in their house: it is not that they are very good.
          Totti's disqualification, I would add that to Capello".
          Fiorentina as it is? "Seems to me we are better, by now the
          phase of recovering from injuries should be over. In the last
          games I have seen the spirit of the team again, the spirit that
          was present at the start of the season, that desire to fight
          which is essential in order to aim for that seventh place and to
          do well in Europe. In the recent past however the lost occasions
          are not missed.

          "It would have been enough to beat Udinese as we would have
          deserved, but the championship is still long and after all the
          distance is three points. A victory for us, a defeat for them...
          and the game is made". Then, after Parma, the Champions League
          arrives. "March will indeed be the decisive month. I am
          confident, it will be my nature of incurable optimist".
          Trapattoni is also to remain in Florence. "It's too soon to
          speak of these things. My suggestion is to always remained
          focused on the next appointment."

Taken from La Nazione
www.lanazione.it
English translation by Jas (www.fiorentina-online.com)