Italian Football news: Guess who's back?

By Dave Eadevic
June 21 2004

Fiorentina completed a remarkable come back in the world of Calcio yesterday when they Drew with Perugia 1-1, to secure a return to Seria A with a 2-1 aggregate win. Perugia of course are relegated into Serie B.

A crowd of 30,000, including ex-Fiorentina hero Gabriel Batistuta were packed into the Franchi stadium to watch the completion of the fairytale.

Enrico Fantini put Fiorentina ahead early in the second half, but managed to get himself sent off 10 minutes later with a second yellow, but having also scored in the first leg , must now be something of a hero in Florence.

And although Perugia managed a late equalizer with Guilherme Do Prado netting, it was not enough to halt the party.

The return to top flight football is nothing short of a miracle for Fiorentina, they had been relegated to the deepest regions of Italian football (Serie C2) after being declared bankrupt.

And for one star in particular success must today seam very sweet indeed midfielder Angelo Di Livio has stuck with Fiorentina throughout their troubles.

"I want to thank all the lads that played this year and last. They've done a great job and never gave up on the hope of Serie A," he said.

"Personally, I didn't want to turn my back on this city."

Fiorentina lost their name and most of their leading players with relegation.

Renamed Florentia Viola, their prospects of a speedy return to Serie A appeared to be none. But with the financial muscle of their new owner, the shoe manufacturer Della Valle, allied to strong local support, the club bought back the right to use their historic name and duly won the C2 title.

Fiorentina were then elevated to Serie B at the beginning of this season as part of the expansion of the division taken after a series of legal disputes during the close season.

Earlier this month they finished sixth in Serie B to win the right to a playoff against the 15th-placed Serie A side, Perugia, for a place in the top division.

"We're delighted for the team, for the fans, for the city," said club president Diego Della Valle.

"We've returned to Serie A as fast as possible."