13 September 2019
A rejuvenated Fiorentina
Taking the reins for Fiorentina this season is Vincenzo Montella. The new manager arrived on April 10th, replacing Stefano Pioli. In the summer he saw his squad change considerably, with a lot of transfers both inbound and outbound. Starting with the goalkeeper, Polish national, Dragowski who was on loan at Empoli last season.
Their defence consists of Sassuolo Lirola (former Juventus youth player), Dalbert (Inter), the former Bianconero Caceres and Ranieri, who returned from the loan at Foggia.
In the midfield, the new faces are Pulgar (Bologna), Badelj (Lazio), Ghezzal (Leicester) and Castrovilli (Cremonese). Then there is 22 year old Brazilian Pedro, who did very well at home in Fluminense, proving to be an excellent bomber.
The offensive department has acquired strength and technique with Boateng, who played at Sassuolo last year, while Sottil returned from Pescara. But Fiorentina's big summer move came in the presence of Franck Ribery. The French forward decided to leave Bayern Munich after 12 seasons, playing 425 games and scoring 124 goals.
A difficult start to the season
An open construction site is the best way to define Vincenzo Montella's Fiorentina side this season. In the final moments of last season, Fiorentina saved their spot in the Serie A with great difficulty. In fact, it occurred on the last day in a 0-0 draw against Genoa. Fiorentina played their worst season in terms of points since 2004/05. This season, they start with two games and two defeats which seems to confirm their great difficulties of the 2018/19 season.
The many arrivals and many departures make the Viola a team with good potential this season. First of all, the focus on their attack to defence difference. In the first 180 minutes of the season, Montella's team, playing with a 4 3 3 formation, abandoning their past most often used 4 2 3 1 of the past. On the first day of the current season, Fiorentina shot 10 times in a 3-4 loss to Napoli. They then shot 16 times against Genoa. However, they also concede a lot (giving up 8 shots and 4 goals to Napli and 18 shots to Genoa).
A defence that is often very high and without adequate protection of their midfield, leaves several spaces to attacking threats from opponents. While their high pressing seems to fail for now in finding their three attackers to deliver the right effectiveness.
There is a great understanding between their attacking department formed for now of Chiesa, Sottil and Boateng with the possible entry of Ribery. However, their current issue comes at that back… Their defence, which will hope to produce better results than the past season.
