Batistuta`s Story 3

Professionalism
Like every player, Batistuta's career beginings were not easy. He was a regular on temporary basis with Newell's in l988. At this time he signed his first contract for $20,000 a year. Later he was lent to Deportivo Italiano of Buenos Aires, so he would be part of the team going to Viareggio in l989. Bati's team was eliminated by Torino the day of his 20th birthday.
But "el camion" (the truck), a name given for his strength and power, was able to impress with his abilities of scoring goals. In June of the same year his pass was bought by Settimio Aloisio. Then half of it given to River Plate coached at the time by Reinaldo Merlo. Changing teams means starting over, so Gabriel started once again from zero. He played seventeen matches scoring four goals. With the parting of Merlo, Passarella arrived, a character with whom rapport proved to be very, very difficult.
Bati was relegated and non of his sacrifices during the following months changed the way things were going. Bati didn't play a single match during this period of time. Sadness gave way to anger and in June Batistuta left River to join Boca. His early days with Boca were hard, all that time wthout playing left it's mark. The pressure of the fans toward the team didn't help.
Then in January, l99l arrived to Boca, Oscar Tabarez, the team was reconstructed, the new coach knew how to bring out the best of each player, he brought confidence to the group. He was able to discern the capabilities of the men at his command. He turned Boca in a winning team. Boca's winnings took them to the "Copa Libertadores" final, and, losing the Argentine Championship right at the end. Bati continue to score, his name began to be recognized. Offers from Europe started arriving: Verona, Juventus, Real Marid, Fiorentina.
It was in that same year while playing a match in "Copa America" tournament, won by Bati's Argentina, that Vittorio Cecchi Gori, vice-president of the Viola at the time noticed young Batistuta's class, talent and penchant for goals. So, he brought him to "Firenze" At first, like in River and Boca, things were not easy: a different country, different customs, different language, differences with his teammates. Also he needed a teammate that would supply good passes for him to be able to do what he was capable of doing. His strength of character, his openness and sincerity help him in smoothing whatever obstacles were thrown in his path. Bati started scoring and his goals were making a difference for his team. Meanwhile the people of "Firenze" were little by little opening their hearts to the young man with long blond hair, magical feet and agreeable character.
The 26 of February, l992 with the goal scored to Juventus (l-0), BATIGOL'S myth was born. From there on there was no stopping for Batistuta: two goals against Genoa, hat trick against Foggia, two goals at the "Olimpico". The 'myth' was gaining in strength. Bati's personal achievements were not enough and Fiorentina ended twelfth in the championship. The following year eventhough the team had players like Laudrup and Effenberg they ended relegated to Serie B. By this time Claudio Ranieri arrived to coach Fiorentina becoming one of the six Italian coaches, Lazaroni, Radice, Agroppi, Malesani and now Trapattoni, with the opportunity to train Batistuta. It is with Ranieri that Batistuta won his first Italian trophies.
Batistuta took command of the team. He decided to stay at "Firenze" eventhough they were relegated. His pride, his love for the city inspired him to bring Fiorentina back to Serie A. Once again his courage, his desire for winning were far greater than any humiliation he may have felt. Batistuta kept his promise to the city of Florence, Fiorentina was back in Serie A. Thanks to him and his understanding with Baiano, Fiorentina was able to dominate the Serie B championship. Back in serie A, Bati established a new record of goals scored, scoring in eleven consecutive weeks, breaking an old record of thirty years pertaining to a "Bologna" player by the name of Pascutti. A record that seemed unattainable, broken by Bati's class and strength.
This was also the year of "la bandierina" (the corner flag). An unforgettable way of celebrating his goals, and image of Batistuta that will remain forever in our minds. This year he won the goal scoring title with 26 goals. This was just and 'aperitive' for what was to come in the season 95-96. Fiorentina conquered the third place in Serie A, entering the UEFA Championship and the l8th of May at Bergamo, playing against Atalanta, Batistuta gifted the "tifosi Viola" with the "Copa Italia" trophy. This is the fifth trophy in the "Viola" history. Four months later at the "S. Siro" Bati amazed the world by annihilating Baresi and all the Milan defense. With two magnificent goals Batistuta brought to "Firenze" the "Super Coppa" trophy.
Also this year he played his match number 100 in Serie A. His game 101, a win over Lazio, 2-0, with Bati scoring the two goals. This was celebrated by what is until now the greatest acknowledgement given to any player. The "tifosi" gifted Batistuta with a life size bronze statue made in his image.
Thanks to the winning of "Coppa Italia", Batistuta's Fiorentina enter the race for the "Coppa delle Coppe" trophy. In the first match against "Gloria Bistrita" a goal from no other that Batistuta, it ended 1-1. The second leg was won by the "Viola" 1-0. Later on they beat "Sparta Praga" and "Benfica", arriving to the semifinals against "Barcelona" of Spain. Thus Batistuta and Ronaldo's rivalry begins. The Brazilian was not able to score while Bati scored the goal that tied the match bringing to silence the 90,000 Barcelona fans. His celebration of this goal appeard on T.V. and newspapers all over the world. During the match Batistuta was penalized with a yellow card that kept him from playing against Barcelona at "Firenze". His abscense gave way to Barcelona entering the finals.
The season 97-98 starts with Bati scoring three goals to "Udine", making Malesani's debut in Serie A unforgettable. The following Sunday sees Bati scoring two goals at "Firenze". Batistuta starts this championship with five goals in two matches, this season will see him scoring his 100th goal in Serie A, another big step in Bati's career. His greatness not only lies in scoring goals but also in helping his teammates score as well. At the end of the championship Fiorentina conquers a spot in UEFA.
The following year came to Fiorentina a coach which is a myth in soccer history. The coach that has won the most over all, Gioavanni Trapattoni. Thanks to him Batistuta decided to remain at "Firenze". Trapattoni promise Bati a team that will be able to fight for the "scudetto", and that, he delivered. Season 98-99 sees Fiorentina at the top of Serei A for more than 1/2 of the championship with a Batistuta blasting the championship with his goals, celebrating them with the mimick of firing a machine gun. Then on February 7th while playing against Milan, Batistuta suffered the gravest injury of his career. One that kept him out of play for more than a month.
His recovery was done in record time but his absence was seriously felt by the team. Fiorentina woithout his captain lost its first place in Serie A to Lazio. At the end of the season Fiorentina ended in third place conquering a place in the Champions League. This and the winning of the "scudetto" are Batistuta and Fiorentina's objective for the season l999/2000. Now backing Batistuta we find two soccer stars, Mijatovic and Chiesa plus Balbo who'll be Bati's replacement if needed, a star in his own right. Balbo being one of Bati's best friends in and out of the pitch. So, Batistuta will begin a new adventure that could well mean his "consecration" as one of the worlds soccer stars of all times.