ADV: 'Jovetic unlikely to stay'

By Football Italia staff

Fiorentina President Andrea Della Valle revealed his bitterness at missing third place and admits “it’s very unlikely” Stevan Jovetic will stay.

The Viola are still smarting after tasting Champions League football for most of Sunday, only for Milan to fight back for a 2-1 win at Siena in the final six minutes.

“I was furious on Sunday, but even more so disappointed, as there was so much bitterness,” said ADV in a Press conference.

“The night of our defeat to Roma, I realised our Champions League dream was over. It’s a shame, as it would’ve been the right reward for our squad. We played the best football in Italy and were the second most prolific side.”

Della Valle went back on to the soft penalty for a shirt tug on Mario Balotelli that sparked Milan’s comeback.

“It was a shame to hear the referees back that decision. If any contact in the box is a penalty, then who knows how many spot-kicks there ought to be? Balotelli dived a bit like Tania Cagnotto,” he joked about the Olympic diving champion.

Now Fiorentina look to the future in the Europa League, which doesn’t look like it will be enough to keep David Pizarro and Jovetic at the club.

“Pizarro was one of the most disappointed on Sunday night. We have to understand what happened in his mind over the last few weeks.

“I hope nobody wants to leave here because they feel there’s no way to win due to other factors. Next season, seeing this squad, I hope we can raise the bar and no longer see the Champions League as utopia.

“Jovetic has to figure out what he wants for the future. If he does choose something else, then it is important we are compensated with adequate reinforcements.

“It’s very unlikely he will stay, but in any case he behaved professionally and fairly this season. We are trying to build a team that can challenge for the Champions League. I asked Jo-Jo to help us get back into Europe and he did that.”

Della Valle also revealed he “advised Luca Toni to retire and become a club director.”

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