November 28th, 1999
At least five goals avoided by the viola 'keeper against Bologna

Toldo the allkeeper, another magic night

by Giuseppe Calabrese

BOLOGNA - You usually think about the goals that were scored, and not about the ones you did not 
get against. For Fiorentina it's also a question of survival. Because on one hand Batistuta and 
the others' goals push you forward, but it's just as true that Toldo's saves keep you from 
sliding backwards (and soon his fans will also be able to connect to his personal website, 
www.toldo.net which will be presented on Thursday).
It's not the first time that Trap's number one puts his hands on his team's indecisions. The 
latest memories grab to the Wembley game or to the night against Manchester, up to last night. 
Once again him. Once again decisive. First on a shot from Signori, then on a close touch from 
Nervo, then on a wide shot from Ingesson and yet again on Bia. Finally at the 47th minute in the 
second half, on Fontolan who was also in front of him. Five goals avoided are no joke. "I am 
doing fine physically, it's a good moment. Maybe the good luck is coming" he says without 
getting too excited. But deep inside he knows it's not like that. Except for the game in Reggio 
Calabira, he made no mistakes at all and during these years he improved impressively.
Giorgio Pellizzaro, who was the goalkeepers' trainer during Ranieri's times, used to say: "He is 
the best Italian 'keeper, he should be a starter for Italy". True, but Zoff prefers Buffon. And 
Toldo pretends nothing happened, he just waits. With no criticism. "I only think about doing 
well with Fiorentina, the national team comes next". In the meantime Buffon, the azzurro number 
one, has already got 14 goals against with Parma, Toldo one less. But numbers do not matter, or 
at least they do not cause the choices.
Adriano Bardin, Traps' 'keepers-man, explains: "Francesco has got everything. He is good at the 
high saves, he is good with his feet. He is confident". It's not casual that clubs from all over 
Europe are queuing up for him, but Cecchi Gori doesn't let go. Toldo was one of his first 
transfer market hits, when he managed to take him away from AC Milan he said: "This is going to 
become the best Italian goalkeeper". Vittorio was right, because during these years this guy, a 
bit shy and without malice, became the number one in Italy. That's why Lazio want him, that's 
why Fiorentina don't let him go. "I'm staying in Florence, let's stop this story. I belong to 
Fiorentina and I'm not leaving".
His deal expires in 2002, after Euro 2000 it will be time to talk about the future. Not earlier. 
"It's no use that they keep asking me for Toldo because he is not for sale. Toldo is not for 
sale", again and again said Cecchi Gori, who got on the field before Fiorentina-Manchester Utd 
in order to shake hands with him. After all, if a scored goal can be worth three points, a saved 
goal is worth at least two. Even if no one mentions that. "But this is the goalkeepers' 
fate - smiles Toldo - Goals stay in people's mind, saves are forgotten".

Taken from La Repubblica
www.repubblica.it
English translation by Maddalena (www.acfiorentina.net/enricochiesa)