Walter Sabatini he spoke in a long interview with Radio FirenzeViola touching on the themes related to the current events of Raffaele Palladino’s team, as well as those of places dear to him such as Rome and Lazio: “In football it is not possible to live without pressure… it is something normal but it must be lived with awareness. I really miss pressure, it is a stimulating aspect of our work. I am referring to Rocco Commisso’s words on Fiorentina’s objectives. Palladino will certainly be able to support the expectations that are there”.
Is this year’s Fiorentina stronger than last year’s?
“Yes, because the current team is stronger than last year’s. The Viola attack is finally defined and has a clear physiognomy. Kean is a player who was looking for redemption and is finding it, while Gudmundsson was the strongest striker in the whole of Serie A. So I feel like saying: well done. And a well done goes to Commisso, who has built an incredible sports center that can only be found in England. Work environments are fundamental in the world of football”.
Returning to Gudmundsson, how much do you think the Icelander will raise the level of the Viola team compared to what Gonzalez has given?
“Nico was a tactically marginal player, while Albert ranges across the entire offensive front. So much so that I often ask myself: but how can an Icelandic player be so strong?”
Moving on to non-Fiorentina topics. Did you expect this impact from Boulaye Dia at Lazio?
“I was sure of it. He had an extra-sporting issue related to the refusal of a transfer, the president made a decision that wanted to maintain the prestige of Salernitana. With Dia, Salernitana would have been saved, he is a player who finds the goal more than any other: he has a sense of goal, of freeing himself, he attacks the opposing line. It doesn’t surprise me at all. I knew that Dia would have given Lazio a lot of satisfaction. Then sometimes players carry rumours with them: is he inconsistent? He has an incredible goal average, if you go and check the scoreboards”.
What championship are you watching?
“Wonderful. Seeing certain teams at the top has always been my hope. I always root for the weakest, today’s is a wonderful ranking, for me football is the only true form of democracy, it’s magic. Inter remains the strongest and most titled to win, but anything can happen. It will be fun because the games are all uncertain, there is not a game that seems over, look at Parma and what has that 2-0 become…
Closing with Roma and the dismissal of Daniele De Rossi…
“I am shocked. There is a miscommunication, with fans and with people. We need to talk to them. This club hasn’t even presented the sporting director… When a club doesn’t present a manager, that manager doesn’t exist. De Rossi’s dismissal is a hostile act towards a person and a community, a great representative of the fans and an excellent coach. What makes me angry is that in Rome they don’t watch football, they only hear about it. They haven’t noticed the improvements in the team, like those seen in the first half against Genoa. I give weight to behaviors, because they measure intelligence. I am very disappointed, very sorry, I don’t like to see careers cut short like this on the basis of a lack of reasoning. His dismissal was self-sabotage for Rome”.