Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just

$149.99
 
$74.99/Year
The Perfect Holiday Gift Gift Now

Giuseppe Rossi

World Soccer

|

November 2025

Fiorentina v Juventus 2013-14 Serie A, Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence

- Sean Cole

In October 2013, the Italy striker wrote himself into Fiorentina folklore with a stunning hat-trick against their biggest rivals to secure La Viola’s first home win against Juve in 15 years

There's a big rivalry between the two teams and hours before kickoff, as we headed to the stadium, there were already thousands of people on the streets chanting and going crazy. My teammates from Florence explained why this was the biggest game of the year. I could feel it.

But it started badly for us and we were 2-0 down at halftime. After Carlos Tevez and Paul Pogba scored, they both copied Gabriel Batistuta’s famous celebration, where he went down on one knee and pretended to shoot at the crowd. That really irked the fans. Fiorentina hadn't beaten Juventus at home since 1998, when Batistuta was still playing.

Back in the dressing room, the coach Vincenzo Montella said one simple thing to motivate us: “Games like this put players on the map. How do you guys want to be remembered?” It was more of a psychological change than anything tactical. We just wanted that first goal to put the pressure on.

MORE STORIES FROM World Soccer

World Soccer

World Soccer

Tales from the 211

Exploring the weird and wonderful world of football across FIFA's 211 member nations - and beyond

time to read

3 mins

December 2025

World Soccer

World Soccer

Things... ...from the 2025 MLS regular season

Lionel Messi is set to become the first player in 30 seasons of MLS to win the league's Most Valuable Player award in back-to-back years.

time to read

3 mins

December 2025

World Soccer

World Soccer

Old soccer, new football

The newly formed Australian Championship marks a new chapter in the country's footballing history

time to read

6 mins

December 2025

World Soccer

World Soccer

World Cup history makers

It's just past 5pm in the noisy Sucupira market on the Rua de Lisboa.

time to read

6 mins

December 2025

World Soccer

World Soccer

Years in the making

How Cape Verde utilised its diaspora to become the second-smallest country to qualify for the World Cup

time to read

3 mins

December 2025

World Soccer

World Soccer

"What's better and what's nicer than going to a World Cup?"

The South Africa head coach reflects on an eventful World Cup qualifying campaign and looks ahead to next year's finals, AFCON and retirement

time to read

3 mins

December 2025

World Soccer

World Soccer

Morocco's rise continues

The North African nation's historic victory at the Under-20 World Cup is further evidence of their evolution as a footballing force

time to read

3 mins

December 2025

World Soccer

World Soccer

Brazil eye glory on home soil

The hosts of the 2027 World Cup are looking like serious contenders as the finals slowly come into view

time to read

5 mins

December 2025

World Soccer

World Soccer

A Swedish fairy tale

How a village team became champions of Sweden

time to read

6 mins

December 2025

World Soccer

World Soccer

Argentina loses a legend

Argentine football is in mourning for the late Miguel Angel Russo

time to read

7 mins

December 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size

Holiday offer front
Holiday offer back