The death of Davide Astori has certainly weighed heavily on Fiorentina boss Stefano Pioli, who has given an astonishingly open and honest account of how both himself and the squad have coped with the most shocking events. The interview was published in Monday’s local Florence newspaper Corriere Fiorentino, translated exclusively for The Sportsman by Chloe Beresford.
“For away matches I always have my ritual,” says the Coach. “I wake up early and have my breakfast at 7.30 at the latest. I prepare for the match, think about what to say to the team to motivate them once again. I remember that I had called my daughter Carlotta on that day. Then the doctor [Luca] Pengue and the team manager [Alberto] Marangon called out to me. “Come, come quickly.”
“I arrived in front of room number 118 in my pyjamas, [goalkeeper Marco] Sportiello was already there. “Mister, Davide is gone” he said. But i still did not understand. Then, opening the door I saw Marangon and Pengue crying and Astori there, lying on his bed. It seemed like he was sleeping, but it wasn’t so.
“The most difficult moment,” confessed the Fiorentina boss “was going around the rest of the rooms to tell the rest of the team what had happened. It was something that I would not wish on anyone.”
Just seven days after the Captain’s sudden death and funeral, the Viola had to be back on the pitch versus Benevento. Pioli describes what happened in the dressing room after an emotional tribute from fans and a 1-0 win that was dedicated to Astori.
“We looked at each other and we hugged each other in silence, there was no need for words. We were all relieved after a week that I thought almost impossible to overcome.”
At that moment, he says, a new Fiorentina was born.
“It was something that was so strong, enormous. Initially I feared for my players. On the Tuesday when we restarted training, it was hard. So many of our youngsters had not even properly realised what had happened.
“To get changed, to work, to train without Davide that afternoon created a sense of emptiness in us all. I started to speak, than I asked who felt like they would like to say something. All those who did so said to me “we want to carry on with the values that Davide stood for, we want to do it for him. With gratitude and affection.”
“At that moment I understood that they had the strength to start again, I understood that something had clicked. Personally, however, I still struggle without him. With Astori there was harmony, I miss not hearing his voice on the pitch.”
After the victory over Torino, the entire squad of players went over to the visiting Fiorentina supporters and saluted them in a tribute to the late Captain. Pioli explained how this came about.
Il saluto al capitano #DA13 di tutta la squadra e lo staff sotto alla curva dei tifosi viola.
“The first one that was done by Vitor Hugo [after his goal against Benevento] was a spontaneous gesture, born in the moment. Conversely, at Torino we had already decided to stand to attention. It was our way of remembering Davide together with our supporters.”
The Coach then explained how the club can take the positives from such a terrible event, speaking of the potential healing of a long-standing rift between supporters and the club’s owners.
“I see it as an opportunity. For the club, for the city, for all of us. From this tragedy that we are living through, we must take something positive for the future, because only togetherness and passion will create optimum results. Be careful, however, I’m not speaking about criticism. In football it is normal, it’s a part of the game.
“It’s important to all be on the same side as someone could profit from a split and destroy everything. I understand that the physical distance of [owners] Andrea and Diego Della Valle has bothered everyone, but they have always made their presence felt, and are always interested in the team.
“Creating something new on our part must mean that we are always clear about what we can and must achieve. I understand Florence and I didn’t have to see 10,000 people in Piazza Santa Croce to admire her. Davide has taught us that with seriousness and serenity that we can achieve great things and that we absolutely can do such things.”
The excellent form of Riccardo Saponara since the death of his team-mate has not gone unnoticed, and Pioli took the time to give some insight into why that might be.
“I can’t say for definite that it is linked to Davide, but for sure he is training better than ever before. It’s a good thing, I put him on the pitch and he has become an important player. Initially he paid for his injuries and my technical choices, but now he’s ready.
“Playing with him as a trequartista gives us licence to play a “dirty” formation, which doesn’t give opponents any reference points against us. Ricky will be in the middle, [Cristiano] Biraghi and [Jordan] Veretout will divide up the left side and [Marco] Benassi throws himself into the spaces. I like the idea of a dynamic squad, for me the formation is secondary.
Fiorentina sit ninth in the table, currently just three points away from seventh place. The boss remains realistic about what can be achieved in the rest of the season but hopeful that the Viola can reach Europe and dedicate the achievement to Astori.
“I’m expecting a lot, we’re throwing everything forwards because I believe, in fact I am sure, that the team will give the maximum right until the end. In terms of the table, the next three weeks will be decisive, in the next 20 days we will play six times and we must be perfect in demonstrating our strength.
“We have a balanced fixture list, but we must take one match at a time. We are back in with a shout of Europe, however first of all we are forced to hope that others slip up. It’s a doubt because Sampdoria and Atalanta will be around there come the end of the season. We have demonstrated that we can be in with a chance, and for that reason we will fight right to the end.”
After playing in the team during the days of Gabriel Batistuta, it seems like Fiorentina have finally found a coach that understands the club, the fans and the city. But what of his future?
“In October I will be 53 and I came here after a negative experience. I came immediately because Florence called me and because the ownership made me understand their ideas. My contract isn’t important, there’s an option to renew if the club want it. If they do, there won’t be a problem, I’m happy with it if they are.
“I feel good and I’m very happy to be here, looking back I have absolutely no doubt that this was the right choice. Now I know that there is faith coming from the other side, I am ready to give everything.”
