Single Purple: Duchamp Valachovic's charged encounter with Fiorentina
A month after abandoning jarring tones, the fiery Juventus star comes into a tense confrontation with the Purples (22:00, Sport3).
Michael Yochin recalls Roberto Baggio's chilling visit to Florence and wonders how far the Serb who did not hesitate to step into Batistuta's shoes, and even Ronaldo's, will take Juventus
Michael Yochin
02/03/2022
Wednesday, 02 March 2022, 14:00
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Article on Duchamp and Lachowicz (Sports 1)
Tonight (22:00, Sport 3) will be Duchamp and Lachowicz's first real test of character, and it's not certain that it can be mentally prepared for.
The opening of the Serbian scorer's tenure in the Juventus uniform is alarming by any standard, and fans' enthusiasm for his performance knows no bounds, but the battle against the ex he left a month ago will not be easy for him - so much so that coach Similiano Allegri is considering benching him.
He will not forget the reception that is being prepared for him in the stands of the Artemio Franki Stadium in Florence.
The fans in purple these days cynically define Juventus as Fiorentina B.
They lost in favor of the Zebras first to Federico Bernardski, then to Federico Keiza, and Juan Cuadrado is also a familiar ex, although the Colombian moved to Chelsea on his way to Turin.
Some even remember Giorgio Chiellini his season in the Fiorentina uniform as a youngster.
Bernardsky and Keysa's transitions were not easy to digest, but nothing comes close to the intensity of the outrage over the Valachovich deal.
The Serb did not hide his strong desire to move in the middle of the season, pushed him with all his might, and caused the owner Rocco Comiso to sell him at a high price, 70 million euros plus bonuses, to prevent erosion - because his contract was due to expire in summer 2023, and the striker vehemently refused to extend it. To his previous promises.
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Fiorentina are waiting for Valachovic's return, who may start on the Juventus bench
To the full article
His enthusiasm was seen as a disregard for Fiorentina.
Duchamp and Lahovich (Photo: GettyImages, Alessandro Sabattini)
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The pure enthusiasm shown by Valowicz for the deal was seen as a blatant disregard for Fiorentina, a kind of spit in the face of the crowd that supported him throughout the difficult period of acclimatization in the Italian league.
They did not expect him to stay in Florence forever, and were even willing to wish him success on another team - but not at Juventus.
As far as the star was concerned, their opinion was not relevant in advancing his career, the frustration with his conduct even led to particularly rude signs condemning him.
"Gypsy, you're done. The bodyguards will not save you," read a poster hung in the city in late January - and even Fiorentina leaders were forced to apologize for it.
Do he really need bodyguards in Florence?
Fate wanted it, and he has had two visits to the ex already this season.
In the last round, on May 22, the old lady will arrive for a meeting at Fiorentina, in what may be a critical battle for her in the battle for a ticket to the Champions League.
Commentators in the boot country claim that the addition of Valahovic has significantly improved Yuba's chances of finishing in fourth place, and there are even fans who are developing hopes for a higher position, perhaps even integration in the championship battle, as Inter, AC Milan and Napoli lose many points in recent rounds.
These ambitions are not really realistic, but winning the Italian Cup is definitely possible, and this enterprise has become much more thought out for the club.
Last year the trophy save saved a somewhat failed season and allowed Andrea Pirlo to end his term with good taste in his mouth.
Also this season it could be the old lady's consolation prize for not ending 2022 empty handed.
On the other hand, Fiorentina's motivation to spoil everything for its hated rival has never been higher.
Valachovic is a red sheet, and the players will give their maximum to beat him, at least in the home game in the semi-finals.
The rematch will take place in late April in Turin, and there is still time until then.
Ahead of the meeting, Fiorentina fans are flooded with nostalgic memories.
The younger generation also heard all about Roberto Baggio's move from Florence to Juventus in 1990, in a move that greatly deepened the rift and animosity between the two clubs.
But then, unlike Valachovic, the star really did not want to leave, and the sale was forced on him by management for financial reasons.
Baggio, who starred in the national team's uniform at the World Cup that summer, really liked the Purples, and did not see leaving Juventus a step further.
His first visit to the Artemio Franki Stadium in April 1991 entered, therefore, the immediate pantheon of Italian football.
The playmaker received huge applause from the crowd, refusing to kick the penalty that was whistled in favor of Yuba.
Luigi de Agostini went to the penalty spot in his place and missed, and Ajo was substituted in the middle of the second half even though his team was trailing - losing in the end 1-0.
On his way to the locker room, he took Fiorentina's scarf presented to him by someone from the stands, and put it around his neck.
The fans of Yuba were amazed by this act, but for the Purples it was a magical moment.
For those who have experienced it in real time, it may be the most exciting experience of their lives as fans.
Baggio never returned to Fiorentina as a player, but he was and remains a legend and a hero in the city.
Few can match it in popularity, led by Gabriel Batistuta.
Is it even possible to bear the name of the Argentine in vain in Florence?
Turns out yes.
"I brought you the new Batistuta," Valachovic's mother told Fentalo Corbino, Fiorentina's sporting director, in 2018.
"It's enough to have the new Luca Tony," replied the amused Corbino.
No matter how you look at it, the Valachovic family's self-confidence has never been lacking, and this is reflected even after the move to Juventus.
He did not hesitate to take Cristiano Ronaldo's number 7 shirt, signed the contract on his birthday, and released big statements.
Expectations were astronomical, and meanwhile the Serb even met them.
He scored in his debut game already in the 13th minute, in a 0: 2 victory over Verona.
In his first game of his career in the Champions League, he allowed in the first minute right on Villarreal's pitch, in a 1-1 draw in the first game of the quarterfinals which gives the old lady a certain advantage ahead of the rematch.
Last Saturday, he bombed a double at 2-3 in Ampoli, and the way he stopped the ball in the heel during the lead that led to his second goal was breathtaking.
Commentators and fans have no doubt - the club has got a player who is able to set a period, march him back to the top and become one of the best of his generation in the world.
Self-confidence is not lacking.
Duchamp and Lachowicz (Photo: GettyImages, David S. Bustamante)
This potential certainly exists, but it took quite a while to start realizing it, and the bloom lasts only a little over a year - from December 2020. Things can go wrong along the way, and mental resilience is essential to continue the momentum and truly be in line with the world's brightest stars.
Playing in Florence in front of an audience that hates that abysmal hatred can make a positive contribution to that momentum if Valowicz proves himself in these circumstances, but it could also be a dismal evening that will hurt him in the short and long term.
Fiorentina leaders have made a special request to the public to refrain from blatant and racist chants, but it is clear as day that not all ultras will respond to it.
"Duchamp is calm. It will be an exciting game for him against the team that nurtured him and allowed him to advance to Juventus, but he is cool, and that's how it should be," said Allegri, and now the big question is whether he will endanger the star's mental state on the pitch.
"It will be a great evening," Valowicz himself declared.
We'll see.
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Duchamp and Lachowicz
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Roberto Baggio
