Kroldrup signed until 2012
Danish defender Per Kroldrup extended his contract another two years, ending June 2012. Upon his decision to stay in Florence, he said, ‘This choice is both a personal and sporting one.’ He also added that he anticipates getting the team back into Europe.
Pantaleo Corvino Show
For two evenings this summer at the Artemio Franchi stadium, the team’s sporting director Pantaleo Corvino will be answering questions posed by journalists and the public.
Friendly match against Montreal Impact
For Fiorentina’s first friendly match in Canada on May 23 against Montreal Impact, many players from the Fiorentina primavera team filled in for teammates who were either playing in the World Cup or were injured. At the end of the first half, Impact was in the lead by one goal; 18-year-old Seferovic scored Fiorentina’s only goal in the second half to end the match in a draw.
Fiorentina beats arch rival in Canada
On May 25, Fiorentina played arch rival Juventus at the Rogers Center in Toronto, officially closing the 2009-2010 season. In the 17th minute of the first half, Viola striker Stefan Jovetic scored the first goal. Juventus was unable to get the ball past Viola goalkeeper Sebastien Frey, thus ending the match 1-0 in favor of the Fiorentina.
Prandelli leaves the Fiorentina
After promising to stay with the team until the end of his contract in 2011 and dispelling rumors that he might go to Juventus, Cesare Prandelli is leaving as head coach of the Fiorentina, a post he has held for the last five years. Prandelli will now coach the Italian national team, replacing Marcello Lippi after the World Cup this summer.
Sinisa Mihajlovic named new coach
Serbian Sinisa Mihajlovic has been chosen as the Fiorentina’s head coach to replace Prandelli. After a year with Bologna, he left to coach Catania in December 2009. On May 24, he resigned to start his new job in Florence. Before his coaching career, Mihajlovic was a professional soccer player for 18 years, 14 of which he played in Italy for Roma, Sampdoria, Lazio and Inter.
Happy birthday to De Silvestri!
Viola defender Lorenzo De Silvestri celebrated his 22nd birthday on May 23. Born in Rome, he started his career with Lazio in 2006. Arriving in Florence last September, De Silvestri scored his first goal in Serie A in a match against Parma.
