Fiorentina icon Maurizio Restelli has told TuttoMercatoWEB that errors are part and parcel of the game for players like Tottenham Hotspur’s January transfer target Sofyan Amrabat.
The Moroccan came close to costing the Viola deeply against Spezia on Monday night while making only his second Serie A start this term. Vincenzo Italiano recalled the 26-year-old to anchor his engine room at the Alberto Picco with Arsenal loanee Lucas Torreira suspended.
Italiano has seldom trusted Amrabat this season, with the 32-cap international playing just 306-minutes over 13 league appearances so far. And Amrabat showed why he has rarely featured at Spezia when Kevin Agudelo stole possession before running through to score.
Agudelo robbed Amrabat of the ball as the midfielder dawdled in possession with no cover for goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano. The Moroccan appeared unaware of the winger bearing down on him, but he would make up for the error by drilling home an 89th-minute winner.
Fiorentina icon Restelli backs Amrabat after Tottenham target’s error vs Spezia
Amrabat’s villain to hero display against Spezia showed Tottenham both sides of what they may have signed from Fiorentina during the January transfer window without a late U-turn.
Reports by Calciomercato noted Spurs explored a loan deal that carried a €15m (£12.5m) option to buy this summer. The fee could have allowed the Viola to recoup three quarters of the €20m (£17m) they paid Hellas Verona for his capture in the summer 2020 market.
However, Fabrizio Romano noted on deadline day that Fiorentina would no longer sanction Amrabat’s transfer to Tottenham. Viola Sporting Director Daniele Prade also told TMW this week that the midfielder ‘wanted to stay’ and to ‘prove that he is a Fiorentina footballer’.
Now, Viola icon Restelli has lent his support to Amrabat following his error against Spezia.
“He started contracted, but under tension he is a diesel and I was counting on him to slowly find the right serenity and he did,” Restelli said. “He may have sometimes made that passage with a moment of delay that makes you fear, but it is part of the role.
“Amrabat made that mistake that could have cost him dearly, but then he found the decisive goal.”
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