CESARINI VIOLA ZONE/ 4
11 November 2006: A JOI FROM PAZZI(NI)
di Niccolò Russo
A simple play on words to describe a memorable feat that goes beyond the pure sporting context.
The achievement of an important goal (even the most unthinkable one) necessarily passes from the continuous recourse to a mix made up of great competence and pure faith; qualities belonging, almost exclusively, to those who face life with a courage to the limits of unconsciousness.
An example above all?
The “Florentine by adoption” Cesare Prandelli.
An honorary appointment that requires immediate passage from words to deeds.
We are in the heart of summer 2006: the magical blue nights alternate with the tormented days of those who paint their horizons in purple.
Fiorentina 2006-07 (Photo TORRINI)
On the one hand the German World Cup, on the other the Italian “Calciopoli”.
The sublime side par excellence and the cruelest side of the same coin: an authentic and unbearable schizophrenia for those who chase their dreams behind a football.
Among these, precisely, Prandelli: the coach of one of the most beautiful Fiorentina ever.
A team that, in just twelve months, said goodbye to the troubled relegation zone to explore the most noble districts of Serie A.
The apotheosis of the journey?
The last match of the 2005/2006 championship in Verona: 2-0 against Chievo, 74 points in the farmhouse and a splendid fourth final place that qualifies for the Champions League preliminaries.
This, at least, is what the camp tells us.
From the courtrooms, on the other hand, cold and gloomy drafts about our future again come.
This time, however, the financial solidity of the club is not called into question, but its modus operandi in the context of the hypothetical “football dome” designed by the judges of Naples.
An indescribable chaos of phone calls and secret meetings aimed, according to the prosecution, to establish in advance the results of the matches and final placings for the 2004-2005 season.
A scenario, however, which literally fights with the viola story and all the refereeing episodes that have seen it penalized in the aforementioned context beyond all human limits.
The fact is that there is not much time to establish exactly how real those burning phone calls are: sports justice, in fact, follows a much faster path than criminal proceedings; otherwise, it would be impossible to guarantee the smooth running of the championships.
And here we come to the final blow that involves, alas, Fiorentina: exclusion from the Champions League just earned on the pitch, 19 penalty points to be served in the 2006-2007 Serie A and field disqualified for three rounds (as if the Franchi stadium had some faults …).
A sentence that, paradoxically, sounds almost like a sigh of relief for the city, in the face of the initial relegation to the table proposed by the judges of the Football Federation!
This time, however, the financial solidity of the club is not called into question, but its modus operandi in the context of the hypothetical “football dome” designed by the judges of Naples.
An indescribable chaos of phone calls and secret meetings aimed, according to the prosecution, to establish in advance the results of the matches and final placings for the 2004-2005 season.
A scenario, however, which literally fights with the viola story and all the refereeing episodes that have seen it penalized in the aforementioned context beyond all human limits.
The fact is that there is not much time to establish exactly how real those burning phone calls are: sports justice, in fact, follows a much faster path than criminal proceedings; otherwise, it would be impossible to guarantee the smooth running of the championships.
And here we come to the final blow that involves, alas, Fiorentina: exclusion from the Champions League just earned on the pitch, 19 penalty points to be served in the 2006-2007 Serie A and field disqualified for three rounds (as if the Franchi stadium had some faults …).
A sentence that, paradoxically, sounds almost like a sigh of relief for the city, in the face of the initial relegation to the table proposed by the judges of the Football Federation!
A terrifying prospect, however, for a supporters doomed from birth to never find peace: it may be for this reason that lily hearts have never stopped beating even for a second, despite everything.
A strength and courage that are also children of the moral nobility of our Mister: “I’m staying in Florence … whoever doesn’t feel like it, please go away”.
These, more or less, are the words spoken by the leader of Orzinuovi during the confusing summer retreat in Folgaria.
A strong reminder of their responsibilities that involves all the players in the squad: from the pillars of the group to the newcomers.
If on the one hand, therefore, remain Toni, Frey, Jorgensen and Ujfalusi, on the other hand essential elements such as Mutu, Liverani, Santana and Blasi arrive to support.
Men called to realize the true Mission Impossible of their career: to save our unsafe boat at any cost.
The start, let’s face it straight away, is nothing short of chilling: in fact, three defeats have been recorded in the first four championship races.
Hitting rock bottom has never been so real.
The pact of blood (viola) between the team and the Florentine people, however, proves once again stronger than any adversity.
Prandelli’s troop suddenly gains courage and ideally delivers a powerful punch in the stomach of skeptics and resigned ones.
Oktoberfest, in this case, is not the beer festival, but a gala with bright lilies: the consecutive poker successes made against Catania, Empoli, Reggina and Turin throws us with surprising speed at an altitude – 4 in the standings.
But that’s not all.
On 27 October 2006 the last match of the Calciopoli scandal was played at the CONI Chamber of Conciliation and Arbitration.
The purple club’s lawyers pick up the papers of the trial and dismantle the charges piece by piece.
A task, if you think about it, not too difficult, given the labor experienced by Florence in the infamous 2004-2005 season … other than refereeing favors!
While the city asks for justice, Coni responds with a “discount” to the limits of the absurd: 4
penalty points less and cancellation of the disqualification of the field.
The reaction of the fans was not long in coming: the banner “Tar-Tas-siamoli!” exhibited in the Curva Fiesole during the match against Palermo best summarizes the mood of those who feel indisputably innocent.
Meanwhile, the team tries to ride our feeling of sporting revenge, but must bow to the class of the Italian-Brazilian Amauri a few moments from the closing gong.
As if that were not enough, the side effects of the very heavy 2-3 rosanero continue until the end of the match following the Olimpico in Rome: the 3-1 final for the Giallorossi unfortunately nails the Viola still at zero.
We can’t wait any longer: to shake off the specter of relegation, we need a definitive change of pace.
Saturday 11 November 2006: Fiorentina-Atalanta will be played at the Artemio Franchi stadium.
A never banal match, in light of the great rivalry between the two fans.
A common feeling that transforms the related challenges on the pitch into authentic heart-pounding battles.
The aforementioned, for a change, is included in the price.
Just wait halfway through the first half to confirm this: Giulio Migliaccio’s Atalantine goal (first center in Serie A for the Nerazzurri midfielder) and yet another bulky iceberg to avoid with your heart in your throat.
Looking around for comfort suddenly becomes a reason for survival.
On the other hand, it is not at all easy to cultivate a “remuntada” optimism when you are forced to give up a “Golden Shoe” bomber like Luca Toni.
On the pitch, in his place, there would be Pazzini: the promising Italian Under 21 center forward who grew up (coincidentally) in Bergamo.
Giampaolo PAZZINI
Giampaolo, as an ex, knows every single opponent by heart: consequently, he could be the one to show us the right way and to raise our lot.
Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating. After all, we are talking about a guy with few games as a starter on his shoulders: entrusting him with such a responsibility could slow down his final maturation.
Nonetheless, the enviable youthful unconsciousness of the “Pazzo” makes his way through the Nerazzurri shirts with an overwhelming impetus, hitting a perfect sloping head from the right wing … the Atalantine goalkeeper Calderoni rejects the ball as he can and serves, involuntarily , Mutu … dry blow of the “Phenomenon” and parity re-established after less than a couple of minutes from the crime.
Now, however, we must throw our hearts over the obstacle: postponing the appointment with the victory could prove fatal for us in terms of salvation.
And here we return to a great maxim of life: easy to say, much more difficult to do.
Also because the “Goddess” Atalanta, in addition to the fighting spirit of hunting, this time also seems to embody the imponderable spirit of luck.
Otherwise, the useless lily siege carried out during the entire second half would not be explained: in fact, while the substitute Reginaldo creates confusion along the lateral line of the parterre of the grandstand, the poor Pazzini incredulously witnesses the damned impenetrability of the Bergamo door.
A sensational first chance … then two … even three!
Nothing to do unfortunately.
I Viola fans are now resigned to the idea that another 120 minutes of play would not be enough to score this blessed goal.
That’s why nobody gets too upset in front of Pazzini’s fourth desperate attempt one step away from the credits … once served a few centimeters from glory, the young Giampaolo is betrayed by emotion and throws the ball at the goalkeeper … the latter, therefore, deflects the trajectory of the sphere towards the outside … despite this, the generous viola striker chases her, stops her and loads the right without thinking about it properly … the presence of Calderoni and others four Atalantine defenders to protect their goal would suggest, in fact, many other solutions … only a “Crazy” could try the same … precisely … lightning low shot placed in the most hidden corner … 2-1 lily and Bergamo wall destroyed!
Pazzini observes the scene, dives into the lawn and lets himself go to his emotions.
The Franchi, on the other hand, explodes in a resounding and sublime liberating earthquake.
You wish it were already over, but it is not yet like this: Atalanta rushes forward with the anger of those who have just been mocked and the unscrupulousness of those who have nothing more to lose.
Fiorentina, on the other hand, responded with all the enthusiasm and clarity of this fantastic purple world: recovered ball, counterattack action and masterful 3-1.
The author?
The usual man (no longer a boy) with the number 29 shirt!
Giampaolo PAZZINI
Now that the Serie A ranking marks a heartening +3, Prandelli and his warriors can really take off towards a season finale beyond all imagination: virtual third place in the championship (with 73 actual points achieved) and deserved qualification to the next edition of the Uefa Cup.
A Europe celebrated by Fiesole with the beautiful celebratory T-shirt: “And now … try to take it off!”.
Crazy joy.
Indeed, by Pazzini.
