May 8th, 2000

          Toldo: "I will stay"

          by Luca Calamai

          Milan -- Four goals to program the future. Vittorio Cecchi Gori
          has decided: Trapattoni has to stay. At the of the championship,
          the film producer will propose to the trainer a biennial
          contract. And if, in 2002, old Trap is fed up of coaching, the
          doors for the board of directors will immediately be opened to
          him. With a role like Boniperti or Ferguson.
          Antognoni also confirms: "The positions are approachable".
          Cecchi Gori has entrusted Luna to convince Trapattoni to sign
          the new agreement. Of course, the viola trainer will ask for
          some guarantees. Technical and "environmental". But the door is
          open. Yesterday the same Trapattoni has responded to someone who
          asked him if the victory against Inter would have created
          problems.
          "The club is calm even if I have the problems." Problems or,
          better, doubts. In three months he could be among those who
          could be the next coach for the Italian national team. And the
          "blue temptation" is strong. But the bond with Florence is also
          strong. In short, the confirmation is near.
          Meanwhile, since yesterday, another confirmation is official.
          Francesco Toldo has made an announcement. "I have talked to
          Cecchi Gori and together we have decided that I would stay in
          Florence." His contract will be extended up to 2005, and also an
          increase in salary, after all, Toldo has been on of the great
          protagonists against Inter. The goalkeeper, who is wanted by
          many European clubs, said, "I thank everyone but the most
          important thing is that Dino Zoff knows this."
          But we return to Trapattoni. To his triumph. "When my champions
          are in form it is difficult for all to beat Fiorentina. On the
          eve of the match I didn't think the scoreline would be 4-0 but I
          was optimistic. I knew that we could win the three points. Do
          you say that at the moment we have more power? It's true, we are
          flying. Ever since we were out of the Champions League, we have
          more energy to burn in the championship. Looking at the
          classification I think that the most probable hypothesis is that
          it will be a play-off with Udinese."
          Speaking on Toldo, Trap said, "Francesco is living a fabulous
          moment. But I don't want to create problems to Zoff. Every group
          has its rules. After all, in Fiorentina there is a player
          (Adani) who deserves a place in the national team, but he has
          never been summoned.
          The substitution of Chiesa? Batistuta has approached the bench
          to ask for the reason why I replaced Enrico. Chiesa has a light
          muscular problem and it could tear". Trap also talks about
          general topics. "Who will win the title? I see Juventus has
          99.9% chance. The crisis of Inter? It is not easy to play
          without two champions, Vieri and Ronaldo. Because in football
          the players are more important than the schemes. Then, in
          football everybody speaks. In Florence there is a man who's like
          a butcher and speaks about tactics." One of his protesters. The
          fans remain cold towards the name Trapattoni. But the trainer
          dribbles the suject. "The fans must be respected."
          Chiesa, scorer of the decisive goal, comments, "A great
          Fiorentina. The first goal has given us trust and has opened the
          doors of victory wide for us which could help us avoid the
          Intertoto. Now a beautiful play-off with Udinese awaits us."

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