In Florence Van Basten is still a myth

Thursday 19 February 2009

There's an awkward silence of about 20 seconds after Marco van Basten has taken his seat in the press room of Stadio Artemio Franchi.

The Italian press are first to ask questions but it takes a while before somebody dares to stand up: "Marco how is it to be back?"

In Florence Van Basten is not a coach under siege but a myth of days long gone.

A cameraman applauds him when he spots the former top player, shortly before the evening training session.

"The people have not forgotten the beautiful years I had here, and that is a pleasant experience," Van Basten says.

It's a forgotten story, but at the end of the 80's Van Basten was eyed by Fiorentina - or was it just his manager Apollonius Konijnenburg pretending that the Tuscans were interested.

"It never got serious Van Basten now says. Sorry, that's how it went."

Stadio Artemio Franchi is a long concrete tank from 1931, a national monument at the edge of the city center.

In this stadium Van Basten gave one of his last great performances when he and AC Milan of Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard demolished Fiorentina 7-3.

Gullit and Van Basten both scored two and made Florence bow deep for an untouchable opponent.

Shortly after, in the winter of 1992, he had his last two great shows.

Away to Napoli (1-5) and at home against IFK Göteborg (4-0) Van Basten scored four, but then a ruined ankle would drag him up and down between surgery rooms, swimming pools and fitness rooms.

He played a few games in the spring of 1993, but in the end that proved to be very medically irresponsible.

The nostalgia of his return can be felt in Florence.

In Viola Club Bar Marisa, a purple supporters hangout across from the stadium his name resounds between the espressos and cappuccinos.

At the back of the bar, around the corner from the table football game, is the L’Universita Del Calcio.

It's a room packed with great photos, club souvenirs and old, wise men discussing football as if it were a science.

"Baan Baasten,"’ says Giancarlo Pacini, a shortsighted senior behind a wooden table.

"Marco was one of the few players who was popular in Florence in spite of the fact that he played for an opponent. He's always welcome here as we love a bit of class in this town."

That remark sort of illustrates the self-confident, almost arrogant way of life of the Florentines.

The dazzling capitol of Tuscany claims to be ahead in everything; the best kitchen, the biggest artists, the best wines and the most beautiful landscape.

Compared to that ACF Fiorentina is a bit of an odd one out.

The two only league titles were won in the 1955/’56 and the 1968/’69 season.

In Bar Mariso the black and white championship pictures are on the walls.

Pacini has no trouble naming all the players.

Despite the modest honors Fiorentina is considered a big, traditional club in Italy.

It's hard to tell walking around the classic squares and churches, but Florence is a real football city.

There's is purple dangling from the facades of the old buildings and the fans of La Viola are among the most fanatic in the country.

On the Via della Spada, in the center of Florence, is Trattoria Marione.

A classic Italian restaurant is owned by Fiorentina legend Giancarlo Antognoni.

When you're lucky you find the club icon at one of the tables.

He isn't in today, but the waiter makes up for it with a free piece of information about the boss.

"Did you know he made his debut for the national team against Holland in 1974?"

Fiorentina nowadays is a stable, well run club in the Serie A.

Thanks to the fatherly coach Cesare Prandelli, who has been chosen Coach of the Year twice in a row now.

After the financial chaos of the turn of the century and the dramatic bankruptcy of 2001 the club got back on it's feat with Prandelli leading the way.

The warmth of the club made star player Adrian Mutu decide to stay at the club despite millions being offered by AS Roma.

"I feel at home at this club and with this coach," the Rumanian said.

Prandelli is popular with the Italian press as well, praised for his patience and his charm.

He is polite when he talks of the institute Ajax and the phenomenon Van Basten.

"It's the dream of every coach to work with a top player such as he was. You can tell he was a forward from the way his teams play. Modern and always offensive," Prandelli says.

Van Basten is modest in Florence.

One journalist wants to know whether Van Basten has worked on his Italian with regard to his coaching career.

"I still have a lot to learn as a coach. Time will tell whether or not I will be good enough to work in the Serie A one day."

Van Basten says he does not remember he has played Prandelli in 1990, even though he scored three goals in that game against Atalanta Bergamo.

"Is that so? Oh well, one shouldn't believe everything they say," he says with a smile.