We’re clearly going to be hearing Dusan Vlahovic’s name more and more, but for Fiorentina fans, their hero could soon become a pariah.
The Serbian striker is attracting Erling Haaland-like attention with his incredible goal-scoring in Tuscany, and with each goal another name from Europe’s elite are linked with a move.
AFP
Getty
33 goals in 2021 saw Vlahovic match Cristiano Ronaldo’s Serie A calendar year record, and his foot has stayed firmly on the gas into the new year, with 17 goals in 21 games for the season.
Arsenal are desperately trying to seal a deal for the 21-year-old hotshot before Champions League regulars start making their offers, but they may already be too late.
Premier League Power Price – Get Kane to be carded against Chelsea at 11/2
Rumours are rife that Vlahovic’s desire is a move to European giants Juventus, but the Viola star would be well-advised to read up on some Italian football history.
Most footballing rivalries are borne out of proximity in the league standings or on a map, but Fiorentina’s hate for Juventus is unique in that it comes from the transfer market.
Getty
As the dominant side in modern Italian football, Juve have always looked to Florence in a manner that makes Liverpool’s relationship with Southampton appear nothing more than a minor flirtation.
Academy product Federico Chiesa made the move in 2020 to much anger, while Federico Bernardeschi similarly received dog’s abuse when he made the jump in 2017.
Getty
However the hate can be tracked back all the way to 1990, when Juve poached one of the greatest talents Italy has ever produced.
Roberto Baggio was Fiorentina’s new hope when they gave him his top flight debut in 1985, but without a trophy on show, Juventus knew they had their chance.
Smuggling Baggio back to Turin in the back of a limousine in the middle of the night, Juve captured one of the game’s great No.10s in 1990 for a world record £8million at the age of just 23.
Getty Images – Getty
Thinking they’d managed to get away scot-free for selling their greatest ever player, Fiorentina couldn’t have been more wrong with riots beginning as soon as news emerged of Baggio’s exit.
There weren’t so many tears as tear gas, with as many as 50 people hospitalised in one of the calmest and most beautiful regions of Europe, with Florence in shock that they’d lost their greatest artist since Leonardo da Vinci.
Baggio later revealed that he didn’t even want to go, “I was compelled to accept the transfer,” he said. “Deep in my heart, I am always purple.”
The fact was backed up by Baggio refusing to wear a black and white scarf upon his unveiling, and later in their first match, these weren’t just words from a player avoiding scorn.
Offside Sports
If any further proof was needed of the empathy for the hurt his move had caused, Baggio’s first game back in Florence left Juve fans red-faced about getting one over on the little guys.
Baggio, one of the greatest dead ball specialists the game has ever seen, refused to take a penalty against his old club with Luigi De Agostini missing from the spot, handing Fiorentina the win.
The ponytailed playmaker won the Ballon d’Or whilst in Turin in 1993, but was never quite the same player many Fiorentina fans had pinned their hopes and dreams on.
Getty Images – Getty
Stints at AC Milan, Bologna, Inter and Brescia followed, but the biggest moment of Baggio’s career was another decisive penalty, the one that lost Italy the 1994 World Cup.
Vlahovic undoubtedly doesn’t have the same links to Florence as Baggio due to his arrival from abroad, and he’s often keen to show his love for the fans.
Getty
Many reports even claim he wants to delay his move until the summer out of respect for the team he is currently leading to an unlikely charge towards European football.
However, any goodwill will be gone in an instant if Vlahovic choses Juventus as his destination, with Baggio’s shadow a stark reminder that there’s some moves in football that you just don’t make.
Get The EDGE
talkSPORT EDGE is the free football app that keeps you one step ahead of your mates with short, sharp and shareable content.
Stay up to date with everything going on in the football world with breaking news, live scores and in-app betting.
How can I get it?
It’s available on iPhone and Android devices.
For iPhone, download talkSPORT EDGE via the App Store here.
For Android, download talkSPORT EDGE via the Play Store here.
Note: This article have been indexed to our site. We do not claim legitimacy, ownership or copyright of any of the content above. To see the article at original source Click Here
ASUS 15.5" FHD Anti-Glare IPS Laptop, Intel Celeron N Processor Up to 2.79GHz, 4GB DDR4, 128GB Storage, Bluetooth, Backlit Keyboard, Webcam, Windows 11 Home, Dark Blue, Renewed
$169.99 (as of June 16, 2024 20:54 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface Bundle for the Songwriter with Condenser Microphone and Headphones for Recording, Streaming and Podcasting
$99.99 (as of June 16, 2024 21:00 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Wireless Ear Buds with USB-C Charging, Up to 2X More Active Noise Cancelling…
$189.99 (as of June 15, 2024 20:54 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Hearth and Homestead: Handmade "Blue Outback" Australian Whipped Tallow Balm with Emu, Jojoba, Sandalwood, and Blue Cypress - 1.3 oz -
$47.00 (as of June 16, 2024 21:00 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
