[Jager]

Semioli's step up to Fiorentina Friday 20 July, 2007

Franco Semioli is excited at “finally getting into real football” with his move to Fiorentina alongside Christian Vieri.

Although his time at Chievo earned him two Italy caps and a role as an alternate at the 2006 World Cup, Semioli believes his career has only just begun.

“I wanted to leave Chievo and join Fiorentina at all costs,” said the midfielder in his presentation Press conference.

“I had four wonderful seasons there and was treated well, but Fiorentina represent a turning point, with the kind of passionate fans I never had at Chievo. Basically, now I am finally getting into real football.”

The Viola are restructuring their entire tactical system in the wake of Luca Toni’s move to Bayern Munich and Semioli thinks it can give him a starring role.

“I can play either on the left or the right wing. My natural role is on the right, but last season I barely played there at all. I think with this system I’ll be able to focus more on attacking and maybe scoring a few more goals.

“I hope that Fiorentina will help me get back into the Azzurri squad. It is an exciting challenge and the Tuscan club was foremost in my mind for the motivation and projects in place.”

The Stadio Artemio Franchi outfit made two new signings in less than 24 hours, as Vieri joined Semioli.

The former Inter, Milan and Juventus star will attend pre-season training in Castelrotto tomorrow and have his Press conference.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina defeated local side Team Alpe di Siusi 13-0 in today’s test. Adrian Mutu and Arturo Lupoli bagged a hat-trick apiece.

Other scorers were Manuel Pasqual, Samuel Di Carmine (2), Matthias Lepiller (2), Fabio Liverani and an own goal.

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