Pasquale Bruno has warned Fiorentina that Tynecastle will be “hell” for them and Hearts will give them nothing for free.
Two of the Italian’s former clubs go head-to head in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night. La Viola are bottom of Group A after a draw and defeat in their opening two clashes with RFS and Istanbul Basaksehir respectively. The Jambos believe they have a sniff of second place and qualification after beating the Latvians prior to their double header with the Serie A side.
Bruno knows both clubs extremely well. He arrived in the capital from Lecce in 1995 under Jim Jefferies after spending two seasons at the Artemio Franchi. ’Il animal’ loved his time in maroon and is confident we’ll he welcomed back as a “legend” when he appears at his old stomping ground (sometimes literally) in midweek. He fondly remembers his time as a Hearts player as the most enjoyable of his career and can't wait to be back.
"I will be at the stadium on Thursday," he said. "They invited me because I am an ex of theirs and obviously I am also their opponent, or Fiorentina ... It would have been a special challenge for Stefano, Stefano Salvadori too, but unfortunately he is no longer there.
"Fiorentina will have to contend with a very physical opponent. An opponent who plays hard. No, it will not be an easy game. Of course, the quality of the Viola is objectively higher, but Hearts will play a lot on the clash, on its roughness and concede very little.
"The last time I was at a game in Edinburgh, I entered the stadium at 6pm and left when it was night. Everything is beautiful there. The wait, the party atmosphere, the beer with friends. And then the public is close to the field. Whether there are a thousand, ten thousand or thirty thousand it will be hell .
"I think I already know the slogan they will use to greet me: The Legend in back. And this tells a good story about my relationship with Hearts.”
Bruno became a firm fans’ favourite due to his uncompromising style. Fiorentina are his first love, but the Jambos are a close second. "It was fabulous, extraordinary, unforgettable,” he told La Nazione of his time in Scotland. “I consider that stage the most beautiful of my career. Ok, I rode a lot, I wore a lot of jerseys and I left my heart in Florence too. But the seasons in Edinburgh have left a deep mark on me.
"There football is a lot, a lot, but not everything. There you can play and not get devoured by the pressures that the world of football has elsewhere and especially in Italy.
"In Scotland football is passion, entertainment.. beer. Yes, beer. Because after a game everything ends there, on the pitch. And then you go to the pub without fuss, slow motion and controversy. You play, maybe you hit each other but then we meet again. As friends.
“About the fan and the football player. I didn't go, I couldn't go around all the pubs like my teammates, but after the game, from six to midnight you would find them drinking ... with other champions, with the boys from the national team. Then at midnight they all arrived at Bar Roma which was the Italian restaurant in town.
"I was the defender who came from Italy, who brought strength - for my role - and quality to that championship because I had a thousand experiences in Serie A. The fans greeted me shouting my surname ... and chanting it in the style of English choirs in a pounding way. Superb".
It will likely be a chic Italian suit Bruno dons in Gorgie on Thursday night. But he revealed he has two kilts in his wardrobe that are up there with anything in the sartorial stakes.
“Sure,” he replied when asked if he’d ever worn one. “And how. Actually I have two wonderful ones. The kilt is a symbol even before a garment of unique elegance and beauty. I was given one with the colours of Italy and I have another very classic one. it's gorgeous, it makes you feel so crazy. And then you will remember no, the style of Sean Connery when he showed up with the kilt to collect the Oscar, right? An idol.
Regardless of the result this week, Bruno is determined to enjoy himself. He added: "I'll tell you this: do you know what the wait was like to go out on the pitch in Scotland? Music in the locker room while the coach explained the game to be played. Unbelievable stuff for 'you' Italians. We will have fun, we will have fun.”
READ NEXT:
