Fiorentina ask fans not to racially abuse Dusan Vlahovic in Coppa Italia clash

Vlahovic scored 49 goals in 108 games for Fiorentina

Fiorentina has pleaded with its supporters to avoid racist chants against their ex-striker Dusan Vlahovic in Wednesday's Coppa Italia match against Juventus. The 22-year-old frontman signed for La Viola's rivals in an €80m deal, including adds-ons, in the January transfer window. Following the announcement that the Serbian was set to move to Turin, Fiorentina fans unveiled threatening banners outside the Franchi stadium - with police patrolling his house in Florence during his final days in the city at the end of January. He was subject to death threats from supporters, with players who leave Fiorentina to join Juventus labelled as 'traitors' by the club - much like local talent Federico Bernardeschi, who left the Viola to join Juve in 2017. Giorgio Chiellini, Juan Cuadrado and Federicho Chiesa are other examples in the current Juve squad who joined the club directly from Fiorentina. Vlahovic was targeted with racist chants by Atalanta fans during Fiorentina's 2-1 win in Bergamo in September, and the Tuscans are keen for their fans to be respectful torwards their former player. https://twitter.com/zachlowy/status/1445369420768026626?lang=en "Fiorentina thank the many fans who will be at the stadium next to the team for the match Fiorentina-Juventus on Wednesday," an official statement read. "On this occasion, we ask our fans to support the team with all their passion, heart and extraordinary irony, making your love felt for all the 90 minutes and avoiding racist chants and discrimination that have nothing to do with our culture and history." Vlahovic enjoyed a hugely successful career with Fiorentina, scoring 49 goals in 108 appearances - including 17 in 21 in Serie A prior to his move to Juventus. https://twitter.com/juventusfcen/status/1498616197901914117 Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri said at a press conference that Vlahovic is 'calm' ahead of the reunion with his former club and that he counts on the 'intelligence and culture' of Fiorentina fans. Related links:

• Fiorentina fans make death threats against striker Dusan Vlahovic ahead of Juve move
• Jose Mourinho reportedly accused referee of ‘being sent by Juventus’ after being sent-off
• Alvaro Morata told to ‘shut up’ by Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri