March 12th, 2000
Toldo: "We are united, we can beat everyone"

by Luca Calamai

FLORENCE - From Delle Alpi to Old Trafford. Five days to turn
          the season around. Francesco Toldo resumes his duty as
          Fiorentina's goalkeeper after being suspended in the Champions
          League game against Valencia. "I am ready to break everything",
          says Toldo. Torino in the championship, Mancester United in the
          Champions League. Fiorentina cannot afford to make any wrong
          steps.

          "Among the fans there is a strange atmosphere. It almost warns
          you a sense of fear. This is a city that could go from the
          euphoria to depression in a flash. The team however, doesn't
          have to create this nonexistent problems. And above all we have
          to be united".

          Already united. The defeat at Valencia has provoked other
          wounds. The criticisms of Rui Costa and Batistuta, the fiery
          answer from Trapattoni and finally the sharp reply from the Lion
          King. An awkward ping-pong situation. The Viola goalkeeper
          shakes his head.

          "Let's put side the personal matters. At least till the end of
          the season. Then, when everything has ended, each will have the
          right to express his own ideas freely. His own doubts.
          Trapattoni is right when he affirms that win or lose will be
          decided in the last moment. And I would like to remind everyone
          that this Fiorentina has been able to conquer Wembley, to
          overwhelm Manchester and to fight great games against Milan,
          Inter and Juventus. In short, we have shown that we are able to
          beat anyone. The most important thing is to believe in
          ourselves."

          A true Fiorentina would emerge against Torino. "Torino are in a
          desperate position. But we must win. You think I don't have any
          intention in participating in the Intertoto's Cup next year? In
          the next two fixtures we will face Torino and Cagliari. Not a
          difficult adversaries. We must try to beat Parma or Udinese. The
          7th place is within our reach".

          Mondonico hopes to find a "distracted" adversary from the
          Champions League. "We're not neglecting the championship. It
          would be a fatal mistake. The Champions League is a magnificent
          dream but we have to improve our position in the classification
          to guarantee us a future which is equally important. We are not
          in a desperate situation. Parma and Udinese are not thousands of
          miles away."

          Manchester. The last opportunity to stay in Europe. "I have
          called my friend Taibi to ask him to reveal some secret on the
          English players." Taibi is still co-owned by Manchester. But the
          manager of the champion of the world is also interested in
          Francesco Toldo.

          "Last year they tried to buy me, offering me lots of money",
          Toldo reveals. Fifty million for Cecchi Gori, six million per
          season for Toldo. Dizzying figures. Manchester United is ready
          to participate in the auction of Toldo. He listens and smiles.
          "I don't talk about the market. But you know what my dream is: I
          would like to win the 'Scudetto' with Fiorentina". Cecchi Gori
          has explained to him that he will not accept the offer. Only a
          resounding relaunch from Manchester or Lazio could convince the
          film producer to open another negotiation. Seventy million could
          be the right figure.

          "The Old Trafford is a stadium from hell. I remembered in the
          European cup between Italy-Germany. It was impossible to
          communicate from the bench. Trapattoni will have difficulty in
          giving us instructions and we will have to be good, to know how
          to manage the game. How? By defending ourselves till the end.
          And talking about the midfield. Rui Costa is right, you can't
          attack with only three men but it would be a serious mistake to
          attack with ten men. The conditions of Batistuta? Gabriel is
          taking care of his blessed ankles. Fiorentina needs to find
          their best again."

          The presence of Toldo gives a more serenity to the fans.
          "Taglialatela however, has been formidable against Valencia. I
          have good and loyal colleagues like Taglialatela and Mareggini
          beside me."

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