Fiorentina’s ultras sent a strong message to their former striker Dusan Vlahovic upon his first return to Florence with his new club Juventus.
Arsenal had been linked with a move for the Serbian striker in January but the player instead had his heart set on a move to the Bianconeri.
The Serbian star rebuffed Arsenal's interest to seal a £66million switch to the Allianz Arena in January and subsequently took just 13 minutes to score on his Juve debut.
Vlahovic was the target of threatening banners from the Fiorentina ultras as he concluded his move to the Turin club in late January.
On Wednesday, the striker faced his old club for the first time in a Coppa Italia semi-final first leg with Fiorentina’s ultras making a tifo display referencing Dante’s Inferno and a chapter dedicated to the Circle of Hell reserved for frauds.
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Fiorentina’s ultras stand on the Curva Fiesole at the Stadio Franchi and they revealed a display referencing Dante’s Inferno, the greatest work of Italian literature that hailed from Florence.
The full quote translates as: “Rejoice, O Florence, since thou art so great, That over sea and land thou beatest thy wings, And throughout Hell thy name is spread abroad!”
This particular part is: “Florence, throughout Hell thy name is spread abroad!”
As per The Athletic, a line was recited from Canto 32 of the Inferno: “‘Omai’, diss’io, ‘non vo’ che piu favelle’.” “’And now’, I said, ‘you traitor bent on evil, I do not need your talk, for I shall carry true news of you, and that will bring you shame’.”
It is a somewhat convoluted reference to Bocca degli Abati, a traitor, who fought on the Guelf side in the Battle of Montaperti in 1260, only to later be exposed as an agent of the Ghibbelines.
Fiorentina as a club and a fanbase were resigned to Vlahovic leaving in January but were intent on a move away from Italy - with Arsenal leading the interest - but he had his heart set on the Bianconeri.
The two clubs share a direct rivalry in Italy that is not based on geography, identity or longstanding competitiveness but a history that has meant the Old Lady are viewed with animosity in Florence.
Players who opt to leave Fiorentina to join Juventus are labelled as ‘traitors’ by the club; such as local star Federico Bernardeschi who exited the Viola to join Juve.
A vulgar banner outside Fiorentina’s facilities at the time of the deal read: 'A chi non piacerebbe sputarti in faccia... Bernardeschi gobbo di merda' – ‘who would not want to spit on your face, you s****y hunchback’. (in Italy, a hunchback is a term, often associated with Juventus, with the connotation of being lucky)
Bernardeschi was the target of unsavoury fan chants upon his return to Florence in a Serie A game with Juventus that February, where he netted a free-kick against his former club.
Giorgio Chiellini, Juan Cuadrado and Federicho Chiesa are other members of the current Juve squad who joined the club directly from Fiorentina – further fuelling the rivalry.
One banner read: ‘Il rispetto non si conquista a suon di gol. Vlahovic gobbo di mierda’ (‘respect is not won with goals, Vlahovic, you s***** hunchback!’)
An even more threatening message read: ‘Le tue guardie non ti salveranno la vita. Zingaro, per te è finite.’ (‘Your guards won't save your life. G****, it's over for you.’)
