Why Roberto Baggio should've stayed at Fiorentina
6May 1990, riotous scenes in Florence as Fiorentina welcomed a world record transfer fee for Roberto Baggio from Juventus.
Baggio was a hero in Florence: saving the club from certain relegation before scoring over 50 goals across the next three years and taking the club to the UEFA Cup final in 1990, their first European final since a string of them in the late 1950s-early 1960s.
Who would they meet in that final but none other than Juventus, who won their fourth European final in 13 years, and with Fiorentina languishing in 12th position, it was easy to see why Baggio’s head was turned.
Turin and Florence are separated by almost 500km, so their rivalry isn’t geographical. Nor is it always tinged with competitiveness, but that is what Juventus and Fiorentina’s rivalry was borne out of.
Fiorentina needed to match Juventus’ result in the finale of the 1981-82 Serie A season. A series of decisions such as a Fiorentina disallowed goal in a 0-0 draw at Cagliari and Juventus’ opponents being denied a penalty in Juve’s 1-0 win courtesy of a penalty of their own.
Hence the riotous scenes. Baggio would score 115 goals for the Bianconeri in 5 years, winning the Scudetto and UEFA Cup (which Fiorentina still wait for), as well as the Coppa Itaila.
#Baggio #Fiorentina #Transfers
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Voice: Jake Doyle (@jakedoyle93)
Words: Jake Doyle (@jakedoyle93)
Edit: Jake Doyle (@jakedoyle93)
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