Fiorentina, Antognoni: “Mastantuono is a No 10 and a half, a panda. He has a bit of Baggio, Bertoni, Dybala and… me. He can score 15 goals”
Giancarlo Antognoni gave a long interview to the Gazzetta dello Sport. The Fiorentina legend discussed Franco Mastantuono, the Viola's new star, and drew some lofty comparisons. These were the words of the current head of delegation of Italy Under-21s.
"It’s a shame my No 10 has been retired for this year because I would have liked to see him wearing that shirt. There is less and less talent in Italy and certain players are a gift to football. Let’s say he is a ten and a half, more like Roberto Baggio. Mastantuono belongs to that category of players who operate from the halfway line forward and always know how to invent something. We are different in terms of style, I was more of a midfielder whereas he is more of a forward. But there is something we have in common: the foot. He is left-footed, I used my right, but technique brings us closer. A player who comes from Real Madrid always has the voucher to go and do well anywhere. I think Fiorentina did very well to sign him, even if only on a dry loan, and to develop him by playing him consistently. Someone with his qualities must always be on the pitch because he beats his man and always looks for the goal".
"I think he is good for Fiorentina and also for Italian football, where the No 10 is now like a panda, a species on the verge of extinction. Does he resemble Dybala? Certainly. They are both left-footed and share the gift of knowing how to change matches. Quality always makes the difference, especially in a tactical league like ours that has become increasingly complicated. The lad has the right mentality and has shown how decisive he can be".
