Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso sat down with the media on Saturday to discuss a range of topics. Alongside him was general manager Joe Barone and communications director Alessandro Ferrari.

STADIO FRANCHI
“We’ve made a list of all the key stages regarding the stadium, from our original Casamonti proposal to redevelop the Franchi in 2019 – which we would have financed – to the municipality’s proposal to invest in the Mercafir area and renovation of the Stadio Ridolfi. None of these worked out, be it for the superintendent’s restrictions on the Casamonti idea or various other reasons why the municipality’s proposals weren’t seen through. The mayor suggested renovating the stadium with European funding, part of which was then denied. I can only say that I’m in favour of this restyling project but I won’t invest in the stadium: it’s a monument and it’s up to the political institutions to find the money. We’ve been asking for months where Fiorentina will play and how much the rent will cost on the new facility but we’ve never received an answer. I believe [Dario] Nardella will find a solution in the end. But it’s not up to us to find it – it will be a political solution.”

VIOLA PARK
“If we’re able to bring through players every year who go on to play for the first team, that will be the greatest mark of success for the big investment we’ve made in Viola Park and in the youth academy. It’s a beautiful, highly functional facility. We’ll announce the inauguration date in due course.”

TEAM
“I’ve always defended the team in times of difficulty. Now we’re focused on our targets. We’re focusing on the Coppa Italia final. We haven’t won anything yet but in any case this is a record season in terms of the number of games played. I’m not going to talk about transfers now; we’re concentrating on ending the season well.”