Long and interesting interview, yesterday, by the vice-captain of Fiorentina Lucas Martinez Fourth to TMW.
After the first weeks of the new season, how is Martinez Quarta and how is Fiorentina?
“I feel good. I’m happy for the victory against Milan, against a great team. The boys did well. Now it’s time to work well, unplug a bit with a few days off and then we’ll prepare for Lecce.”
Can we say that the success against Milan begins a new championship for Fiorentina?
“Yes. We needed a victory like this, especially with the way we took to the field, with the right mentality. If we manage to maintain it from here to the end we will get some great satisfaction.”
This is the part in which he talked about today’s Fiorentina, with Palladino’s team who after the break will try to provide continuity after the excellent 2-1 success over Milan thanks also to an extraordinary David De Gea. Below is the full interview with Stooped.
Form and defense. Has the team expressed its preference on the 3-man or 4-man line?
“The coach arrived with the idea of playing with the three-man defense and we did that for a few games, then we changed something. Lately we have had good results with the four-man defense so I think we will continue like this. Obviously we will also work with the 3-man line, the coach cares a lot about this formation and we players will be ready for anything.”
On a personal level, do you have a preference?
“By now I’m used to playing four-man, only the first year here I played three-man and in Argentina for a few games, like the Libertadores final against Boca at the Bombonera. There I played right-hander, then always defense four-man. But we we are working to understand what the coach asks of us and we will also be ready to play at 3”.
He started as a protagonist in the championship and Conference, but in the last two games he remained on the bench.
“Obviously I’m sorry, it’s normal. I’m someone who would like to always play and who likes to compete. I always give everything in training and I will continue to do so to earn a place in the eleven. Then there are the coach’s decisions based on what he sees and on what which he believes is best for the team. That’s the way it is today but I will continue to work to earn my place and continuity.”
In recent months it has been extended until 2028.
“In June I renewed for another 4 years because I am convinced of the club’s project. We played 3 finals in two years and I think it was right to continue the journey. In the summer the coach changed and we know that with a new coach we all start from scratch zero. Now it’s my turn to regain my place by always giving 100% also to help my teammates, because only in this way can we raise the level.”
Also because over time there have been many rotations, from Ranieri to Biraghi and all the others.
“It’s like this. We’re all starting from scratch with a new coach, we’re trying out the modules, there’s been a revolution and a lot of new guys have arrived with whom we still have to get to know each other better. We old guys try to help them and insert them and we all give do our best in training to earn our place.”
De Gea stole the show with Milan. What brought such a character to the group?
“We know what type of player De Gea is… For me a legend, he spent 12 years at Manchester United and won titles. For us it is very important to have someone like him in the team. We must make the most of him. If he then makes us win matches like Sunday are a lot of stuff…”.
From social media you already seem to be very good friends.
“Yes, also because of the language that allows us to talk a lot. We are very close, with him and the Argentines.”
Among these is Beltran. For some he is an attacking midfielder, for others he scores 15 goals. Which side are you on?
“For me he is a great footballer. I was with him at River and you could already see that he was a strong footballer and capable of doing well. It was a joy to find him here, finding continuity he will be able to do great things. I don’t know if from attacking midfielder or striker, for me he has the quality to play both roles. With his physique he suffers a bit from physical duels with defenders, but he can play both roles because he is intelligent at reading the plays and knows how to go deep.”
Gudmundsson and Colpani are the flagships of the summer transfer market. Impressions after the first few weeks?
“Everyone knows their quality… Gud can give us a lot because he is intelligent and good at finding spaces. He will give us a big hand. Flaco is a player that I liked a lot already at Monza. He knows what he can give. We just need to be patient, because he is a great player and he just needs the turning point, maybe with a goal. Let’s not forget that he comes from an injury.
“After the Copa America something changed in Nico Gonzalez’s mind.” Sports director Pradè spoke like this after his transfer to Juventus. Had he noticed these thoughts during the training camp with Argentina?
“I am close to Nico, we have become very close friends here. The truth is that he was and is very close to Fiorentina. We saw him play, he left his skin on the pitch, I know how much he cares about Fiorentina and how much he cared about winning a cup for this club. He saw himself here in purple for many years, then he was a protagonist in the Copa America, he played well, he won and this opportunity happened to him… He took it, they are personal decisions, everyone does what they want. he thinks it’s better for his future. He then wanted to play in the Champions League and therefore made this decision.”
After Chiesa and Vlahovic, another big name from Fiorentina at Juventus. If the opportunity arose, would you feel like going down this path?
“They accepted and chose to go. They are personal decisions, everyone does what they think is right for their future. There was perhaps the desire to win something with them. I renewed for 4 years with Fiorentina because I am convinced of the project”.
Moreno arrived in the summer, in January it will be Valentini’s turn.
“Great players. Mati is already here with us, he is training, he has joined the group in a great way and I see a lot of quality in him. He will give us a lot in the present and in the future. Valentini comes from Boca, he has played in finals… He is a young but experienced player will arrive here and we will welcome him with open arms.”
Can Lautaro Martinez win the Ballon d’Or?
“In my opinion, yes. He scored many goals, he won the Copa America and the bota de oro (best scorer of the tournament, ed.), the scudetto, he was top scorer in Serie A… He has everything to win it.”
The goal scored against Fiorentina that you are most attached to?
“September 2023, we won 3-2 against Atalanta at the Franchi after the international break. That summer I was about to leave, then they couldn’t reach an agreement with Betis and I stayed. It was the first match after the transfer window closed , I played well and scored. That was the turning point of the season.”