Fiorentina” data-scaytid=”1″>Fiorentina Coach Vincenzo Montella wondered whether they “are becoming annoying” to referees.
Fiorentina Coach Vincenzo Montella wondered whether they “are becoming annoying” to referees.
The tactician had appealed for calm and self-control after a 2-2 draw with Parma, which saw Modibo Diakitè, Borja Valero and the Ducali’s Gianni Munari sent off.
However, by the post-match Press conference he had slightly changed his tune.
“It is true that our behaviour must improve. It is also true that I am not tense about the situation. The club and I are relaxed about refereeing, we do not fire up the players in that sense, even if they may well be tense.
“Our players must learn they cannot try to get vigilante justice, even if they think that decisions have gone unfairly against them. If we are patient, then we can improve.
“We will take a step back, but the other side also has to take a step forward and come towards us, because I get the feeling we are becoming annoying and that’s a paradox.
“The players are becoming annoying to those who referee games and maybe I and the club are too.”
Montella was asked whether he thought Fiorentina were irritating the powers that be with their success.
“If I thought we were annoying because we were doing too well, I’d leave. I say we’re annoying because we protest too much, according to those in charge.”
Borja Valero was shown a straight red card in stoppages when he got into a scuffle with Munari in the defensive wall.
“Borja can get irritable at times, but I don’t see what terrible thing he did to warrant a red card.”
Montella was seen shouting at the referee after the final whistle, but revealed he was simply looking for a handshake.
“I thought people were obliged to shake hands after the final whistle, but apparently that is not the case. Referees can salute you from a distance or later in the tunnel, which he explained to me afterwards. I expected Gervasoni in midfield, but he didn’t come my way… Maybe he didn’t want to get insulted.”