It may have occurred three decades ago but La Viola have not forgotten what they feel was one of the greatest sporting injustices they suffered.
It was the beginning of a long and bitter rivalry that has rocked Italian football to it’s foundations. The 1981-82 Serie A season ended in controversial circumstances and permanently soured the relationship between Fiorentina and Juventus.
Although the transfer of Roberto Baggio to the Bianconeri in 1990 made matters infinitely worse, the root of all the bad blood between the two clubs stems from a terrible conclusion to an otherwise magical campaign for La Viola.
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With the title within their reach, Fiorentina went into their final match of the Serie A season against Cagliari.
Although the result would ultimately end 0-0, Francesco Graziani had put the ball in the back of the net.
Referee Maurizio Mattei had adjudged Daniel Bertoni to have fouled the goalkeeper in the build-up to the goal, leaving Fiorentina fans incensed. The result allowed Juventus to capitalize and win their 20th Scudetto, although not without a helping hand from the match officials.
Opponents Catanzaro had a penalty appeal denied, before Juventus were awarded a spot-kick of their own when Pietro Fanna’s shot struck Costanzo Celestini on the hand. Liam Brady stepped up and scored, his final contribution for the Bianconeri.
Fiorentina fans are convinced the referees had looked favourably on Juventus, a view that gained further momentum when the 2006 Calciopoli scandal was unearthed. Since these events, the two sides have treated one another with the contempt normally reserved for the bitterest of rivals.
Juventus’ Liam Brady celebrates scoring from the spot
Now, after three decades, the animosity between Fiorentina and Juventus continues to have prevalence. However, where once they were Scudetto rivals, now the situation has seen Juventus gain the ascendancy.
Massimiliano Allegri’s team are celebrating their fourth consecutive Serie A title and are in the Champions League final, after having seen off holders Real Madrid. In contrast Vincenzo Montella’s men sit precariously in fifth and were recently humbled by Sevilla as they exited the Europa League semi-finals.
Transfers between the two teams have often ruffled a few feathers.
Although it lacks the official announcement, the Bianconeri look to have secured Neto’s services for next season, something the Fiorentina fans are sure to be up in arms about.
In recent years both Juan Cuadrado and Stevan Jovetic were regularly targeted by the Turin giants, and although neither in fact joined Juventus, it caused a great amount of concern among supporters. The biggest fear for any fan of La Viola would be to see a repeat of Roberto Baggio’s switch to Turin.
The Azzurri legend had been the golden boy at the Artemio Franchi stadium, but was powerless as Fiorentina accepted a bid from Juventus in 1990.
Although his achievements at both club level and for the national team earned him unparalleled popularity, Fiorentina never fully forgave Baggio for departing.
The club itself came under the heaviest of scrutiny for selling Baggio in the first place, adding to a long list of high profile sales that have damaged the relationship between club and fan.
Nothing looks like ending the deep resentment both clubs have for each other, but many would agree that the waning of both clubs tense relationship would take away from the spectacle of Italian football.
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