Fiorentina, Kouamè and the hug to Italiano: he is the man of the purple rebirth

EDINBURGH – In the embrace between Kouamè and Vincenzo Italiano there is much more. The Fiorentina striker, after the overhead goal at the end of the first half of the match then won 3-0 away against Hearts, is a rediscovered player. In the summer he was destined to leave, the market was calling and Fiorentina was careful to evaluate every single offer. The talent is there, who knows the space. Yet Italian, since the summer retreats (especially the second one, in Austria) he immediately understood that Kouamè could not only be a valid alternative in his attack all rush, speed and unpredictability. He could have been the protagonist. That individual who can ignite the spark, who can ignite the race, decide it, direct it. Creating chaos but also putting quality and not indifferent athletic skills at the service of the team and fellow departments.

Surprising starter in the first championship, starter twice in a row in the last two when Italian initially chose to leave both Jovic and Cabral on the bench. The two attacking holders, at least on paper. But the technician has always applied meritocracy. In training, those who prove to be at the top, both physically and mentally, play. Without thinking too much about the name on the shirt or the career he has behind him.

Hearts-Fiorentina 0-3: first Viola victory in the Conference League, Jovic is released

by Matteo Dovellini

06 October 2022

So Kouamè, last year on loan to Anderlecht and the first one on the pitch in fits and starts in a less than exciting Fiorentina, took back his destiny. The goal at Juventus as a turning point of his season: certain goals, against certain opponents, can change the history of every single player in Florence. So it was. And in that embrace with Italian, after the reverse goal that effectively closed the Conference League challenge and relaunched the ambitions of first place in the group, there is all the gratitude of a humble, respectful, happy player as a child when he has the ball between his feet. He arrived in Tuscany (between Prato and Sestese) at the age of 16. Before turning to the Sassuolo youth teams, then to Inter, to stand out in Cittadella and explode with the Genoa shirt. Fiorentina buys him who is injured in January 2020. The Viola invest in him but something is not going as it should. And the risk of getting lost is there, and how.

Then Italian works there, Commisso personally removes him from the market, he repays with goals and plays that are worth a lot. Against the Hearts Jovic also needs the final assist and shows that Fiorentina can play with both on the pitch. The outermost Ivorian, Jovic in the center. Duet, help each other, create spaces. Kouamè and Jovic, two players found. And smiling, together. To the delight of Italian and Fiorentina who thus hope to be able to race again in the championship.