After completing a deadline-day transfer to Fiorentina, Danilo Cataldi insists he never had the intention to leave his beloved Lazio.
The 30-year-old is a lifelong Biancocelesti supporter who rose through the club’s ranks to become a stalwart with the first team. However, his rapport with the management deteriorated in the previous months, especially after being snubbed in favour of Mattia Zaccagni when the club had to choose a new captain following Ciro Immobile’s departure.
Furthermore, Cataldi also found himself in a low position on Marco Baroni’s pecking order for the middle of the park, so ended up sealing a loan move to Fiorentina with an option to buy.
Cataldi Discusses Tough Lazio Breakup
Although he had loan spells at Crotone, Genoa and Benevento in the past, his transfer to Florence could finally spell the end of his time at Formello. While being unveiled as a new Fiorentina player, the midfielder admitted during the press conference (via Gianlucadimarzio.com) that he would have been happy to stay at Lazio for this entire career had the circumstances allowed him to do so.
The breakup with Lazio was hard, as it should be. I grew up in the club’s youth sector, until I reached the first team. When you are born and raised at a club that you also happen to support, and then achieve certain results, it is normal for the separation to be complicated.
I’m not a hypocrite, so I’ll tell you the truth. I would never have left Lazio for what it represents to me and for what it has given me. This is what my heart says. But when I received the calls from Fiorentina and I felt all this confidence, I didn’t think about it much. The breakup was hard, but the decision to join the Viola was easy.
Reasons for Joining Fiorentina
Cataldi insists he’s still looking to develop his game, and will be hoping to do so under the guidance of his former Genoa teammate Raffaele Palladino.
At Fiorentina, I immediately felt the trust of the director and the coach. That makes everything easier. The club and my teammates have given me a great welcome. I will continue to evolve at this club.
In Palladino, I found the person I had worked with at Genoa. He has became a great coach. I remember the matches against his Monza side, they were very complicated. He’s a very intelligent person and I think he can do very well here too.