Inter titans face up to their past

Coaching coup
After hanging up his boots, former UC Sampdoria and S.S. Lazio forward Mancini started his coaching career with AC Fiorentina in 2000, and immediately proved that he fitted his new role by leading the Viola to a surprise victory in the Coppa Italia.

Fiorentina crisis
The following season Mancini signed the 19-year-old Adriano on loan from Inter and the striker scored six goals in 15 games. A few months later, however, the Tuscan club faced bankruptcy and relegation to Italy's fourth division.

Paths diverge
At that stage, Mancini and Adriano were forced to take different paths. The Brazilian returned to Inter via a loan stay at Parma FC - then coached by current Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli - while the Italian moved to S.S. Lazio, another side with huge financial problems. Nonetheless, he did well enough in Rome to be reunited with Adriano at the start of the 2004/05 campaign as Inter coach, and now the club are confident of winning their first Scudetto since 1988/89.

Mancini impressed
Fiorentina, meanwhile, have left their dark days behind them and are back among Serie A's finest. Indeed, they are a point above Inter after four games. "Fiorentina are playing very well," Mancini admitted. "This summer they have strengthened their squad and appointed a very good coach in Prandelli."

Footballing saviour
The man behind this Florentine renaissance is Diego Della Valle, the footwear magnate who brought the team back from Serie C2 to Serie A. And having just avoided relegation on their top-flight return in 2004/05, Fiorentina have impressed this season.

Key signings
Della Valle has signed Sébastien Frey, Stefano Fiore and Luca Toni, and the new-look side lie second, two points behind Juventus FC. "The fans and the whole town are dreaming," said midfielder Christian Brocchi. "We know we are a good team but we are keeping our feet firmly on the ground.

Special fixture
"It would be great to still be above Inter on Sunday night," added the player, who left Inter after a short spell for AC Milan in 2001. "This game is very special for me." French goalkeeper Frey is another Inter old boy at Prandelli's disposal. "The Inter match will be a great test of our ambitions," said the coach. "We are interested to know how good we are."