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Zdravko Kuzmanovic, what do you think of your former teammate Taulant Xhaka’s headbutt?
Zdravko Kuzmanovic: What can I say? A headbutt as a role model and captain. But Tauli has had a few dropouts in his career. He knows exactly what he did. He’s been around for so long, he shouldn’t be provoked anymore. The question is whether he is still learning.
And? Is he still learning?
I do not believe. He is already 32.
He was suspended for eight games. Justified?
The league has responded. Now I wonder if the club will react and Tauli will be fined. When it goes into your own wallet, it really hurts.
Xhaka has apologized but calls for a lip reader to be hired to publicize what FCZ player Katic said to him before the headbutt.
Stop! This is nonsense. There are always and everywhere provocations on football fields. Tauli is not always quiet and provocative either. If everyone reacted to provocations like he did against Katic, not a single game would be played to the end.
You were not considered a saint in the square either.
Me neither. I have said and heard a lot. But I never let myself get carried away into a headbutt.
For example, in the 2019 cup semi-final against FCZ there was a scuffle with Alain Nef…
… we got a little closer, yes. I was lucky that there was no VAR back then.
This VAR is now being criticized for not recognizing a swallow from FCZ prankster Bledian Krasniqi. Understandable, right?
That was clearly a wrong decision, no doubt. But the referees have now admitted that. Definitely stupid for FCB. But it really bothers me that FCB feels like criticizing the referee after every league game. Sometimes a handball is overlooked, sometimes an offside. I feel like people are always looking for excuses. It was a lame classic against FCZ until the penalty in the 89th minute. You can also be self-critical and wonder if FCB did everything they could to win this classic.
Does this classic have consequences for the semi-final of the Conference League against Fiorentina on Thursday?
I do not think so. What happened happened. FCB can check off the championship anyway. Never before have you had so few points at this point. It seems that you are even going to miss the European courses. That’s why you have to focus on the two appearances against Fiorentina and still enjoy it.
Does FCB have a chance?
Barely in two games. Fiorentina is the clear favorite for me. The team is bigger, the players are better.
Which players stand out?
Striker Luka Jovic, who came over from Real Madrid. Morocco’s World Cup hero Sofyan Amrabat. Captain Giacomo Bonaventure. Argentinian Nicolas Goncalez. And of course striker Arthur Cabral, who is well known in Basel. This team is really strong.
You joined Fiorentina in January 2007 at the age of 19. Did it take you a long time to find your way?
A few months, then I loosened up. I had two and a half wonderful and successful years in Florence.
What was it like when Luca Toni or Christian Vieri suddenly sat next to you in the dressing room?
Or Alberto Gilardino or Adrian Mutu. That was a top team.
And who was the best?
What Bobo Vieri and Luca Toni delivered in the penalty area was world class. In terms of game, however, Mutu was the best. Brilliant on the pitch, he caused a few scandals off the pitch.
They played with the Romanian between his four-month suspension for cocaine use and nine-month suspension for doping use. Have you also met in private?
Yes, we often went out to dinner with other players. Mutu was always completely relaxed in the team circle.
Who are you rooting for in the semi-finals?
I still have many colleagues in Florence and I visit regularly. Again this weekend. I like both clubs, the better one should win.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
