HE waited. All around him controversy raged but Jordan Veretout, standing in the penalty area with the ball tucked under one arm, would not be distracted. Fiorentina had been awarded a spot kick for handball by Danilo D’Ambrosio, a decision contested vehemently by the defender’s Inter team-mates and one which the referee would ultimately head over to the touchline to review on the monitor.
Asked to look at the incident again by the VAR team, on-field official Rosario Abisso would seemingly ignore overwhelming evidence that he was wrong and return to the pitch to point to the spot. Given that this occurred in the 101st minute with the score at 3-2 to the Nerazzurri, and with renowned penalty specialist Samir Handanovic in goal, the pressure facing Veretout was overwhelming but the Frenchman somehow remained unflustered.
Eventually, Abisso restored some semblance of order, getting everyone in position so the spot kick could be taken and allow the calmest man at the Stadio Artemio Franchi to deliver. Veretout made no mistake, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and rolling his effort into the back of the net, snatching a point for La Viola in a game that appeared to be over.
Crazy finish: Fiorentina v Inter. Inter up 3-2, referee gives pen in 6th min of time added on. VAR intervenes. He looks at it for (what feels like) hours. Then overrules VAR and sticks with his decision (wrongly IMO) given pen.
Veretout converts pen. It's 3-3.— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) February 24, 2019
Of course the polemic fallout raged on, Inter boss Luciano Spalletti bemoaning the fact the decision went against his side while opposite number Stefano Pioli – who had seen a dubious penalty for handball awarded against Fiorentina earlier in the game – insisted that he “wouldn’t have given either” when he spoke to Sky Italia.
Upon reflection, the latter was correct and there was insufficient evidence of an infringement in both cases, but that should not be allowed to detract from Veretout’s performance over the same evening. The 25-year-old was excellent throughout, making a huge difference for his team at both ends of the field, starting in defence where he helped the Viola marshall Radja Nainggolan diligently.
Often asked to man-mark the Belgian as he roamed around the pitch, the Fiorentina man did so well, communicating with his midfield colleagues if he passed Nainggolan on to them and always aware of the danger posed to his backline. Veretout registered two interceptions, three clearances and recovered the ball seven times, managing to go the entire game without committing a single foul.
Perhaps even more impressive than his work when Inter had possession was the quality displayed by the former Aston Villa man once his side had won it back, Opta data showing that only Marcelo Brozovic (49) completed more passes than Veretout’s tally of 43, while the three scoring chances he created were a game high.
Jordan Veretout with an all-action display during #FiorentinaInter: 1 shot, 1 goal, 43/55 passes (78.2%), 3 chances created, 1/2 take-ons, 7 ball recoveries, 2 interceptions, 3 clearances, 1/2 headed duels (via @StatsZone) pic.twitter.com/hRemN0dnZS
— Adam Digby (@Adz77) February 25, 2019
In truth it was simply a continuation of the form he has displayed since arriving in Florence, the Viola spending a reported €7 million to bring him from Villa Park. He never really settled in England but can hardly be blamed for that, as four different managerial changes could not prevent the club finishing rock bottom of the Premier League in 2015/16.
There can be little surprise that Veretout – who arrived at Villa after winning the U-20 World Cup for France alongside Paul Pogba – struggled to adapt in such an environment, yet there were no such issues in Tuscany. Having bemoaned the lack of tactical instruction he received in England, Italy and Fiorentina were just what he needed, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport that coach Stefano Pioli “sets us new challenges every week” and “helps me study opponents using video analysis which I appreciate a great deal.”
It is a case of mutual admiration, with Pioli telling Sky Italia last year that Veretout is “a complete midfielder and still has room for improvement.” The player has responded to that challenge by bettering almost every aspect of his play, displaying much more defensive awareness while honing his timing when it comes to moving forward and joining the attack.
101 – Jordan Veretout's goal at the minute 101 is the latest scored in Serie A since 2004/05 (since Opta have collected this data). Extra.#FiorentinaInter #SerieA
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) February 24, 2019
Clearly a major influence in open play, the former Nantes academy graduate has also displayed immense prowess at set pieces. He is Fiorentina’s first choice penalty taker, while his right foot is a perfect compliment to Cristiano Biraghi’s wonderfully accurate left, the duo sharing free kick and corner duties depending on the position of the ball.
Together they have helped fire the Viola into the semifinals of the Coppa Italia and within touching distance of a return to European football, something supporters would clearly enjoy. Veretout’s late, late, penalty against Inter took his personal tally to 15 goals in 62 appearances, and it is no surprise to learn that, according to sources close to Fiorentina, he is close to agreeing terms on a new long-term contract.
He hopes to repay their faith with tangible success as Fiorentina seek to end an 18-year wait for silverware. ”For a lifetime the Viola have not lifted a trophy,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport this week. “I dream of finally winning something important and the Coppa Italia is a great opportunity even if Atalanta are a formidable adversary.”
They are, but with the Frenchman patrolling the midfield and – as he proved against Inter last weekend – calm enough to score in even the most testing of circumstances, Fiorentina will always have a chance. Like Jordan Veretout, they’ve waited long enough.
