Fiorentina director Daniele Prade dedicated the team’s Conference League semi-final tie win over Club Brugge to their late CEO Joe Barone.
The Viola edged out a decisive 3-2 win over their Belgian opponents in the first leg meeting in Florence last week, a result that ultimately proved key ahead of their return clash on Wednesday evening.
Fiorentina fell 1-0 down at the Jan Breydel Stadium after a 20th minute header from Hans Vanaken, but found a late equaliser in the 85th minute through a controversial Lucas Beltran penalty, a call that infuriated the home fans and left many neutrals confused.
Fiorentina dedication
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, Prade first dedicated Fiorentina’s Conference League semi-final win over Club Brugge to the club’s late CEO Joe Barone, who sadly passed away back in March.
“I think that the joys that sport and football in particular can give you are indescribable, we live for this, we live for what they can do for the fans, our president, our families. And then today we couldn’t not win the match, it was for Joe.
“At the moment of the penalty, we held each other hand in hand with their whole family, it was wonderful also to the Commisso family, so we are very happy.
“Going to celebrate under the curva is a wonderful thing. I have had important matches in Europe, but it is difficult to find such bedlam, it was truly an incredible match.”
He commented on the qualities of striker Beltran and coach Vincenzo Italiano.
“Beltran is a strong player, today he demonstrated that he has the real attributes by taking that penalty after we had missed the last five. Plus this year it is truly incredible, every time we shoot we hit the post or the crossbar, a championship-winning average…
“Now is the least appropriate moment to talk about the future of Vincenzo Italiano, but I can say that the relationship with him will always remain special, with we have done some incredible journeys, he is loved by all of us, by Joe and the Commisso family, by me and by everyone.”
Finally, Prade remembered Fiorentina’s Conference League final loss to West Ham last year.
“Trying again after a year is one of the wonderful opportunities that sport gives you. You spend a week feeling terrible because you lost a match, your family is also feeling bad and then you experience these incredible joys together with all of them.”