The Fiorentina hierarchy and fans will most likely end the season with a bittersweet taste lingering in their mouths.
By all means, finishing just outside the Champions League places, and within one game of a domestic cup and European final would largely represent a satisfactory season for the Viola, but the fact that they didn’t manage to fully complete the job on any of the fronts will leave an air of inadequacy among Fiorentina faithful.
There were mitigating circumstances however, that must be noted first. Losing arguably your most talented player for the season on the eve of the season in Giuseppe Rossi was a huge blow. This was evident in the fact that the club won only two of their first eight league matches of the season, as the team struggled to fill the void of their talismanic striker.
Question marks hanging over the future of Montella over the most of the campaign would’ve no doubt played a part in the performance levels of the team, with most of the side keen to see the popular coach continue at the helm.
Despite their early season league woes, the Viola put it together during a fantastic stretch in the middle of the season that saw them rocket back into calculations for the final Champions League slot.
The departure of the explosive Juan Cuadrado to Chelsea in a lucrative move mid-way through the season actually proved a blessing for the club, with replacement Mohamed Salah proving an instant hit in Firenze, leading the team to the lofty heights of fourth place – a feat that seemed impossible given their early season troubles.
It was no surprise however that when Salah’s form tailed off nearing the end of the campaign, that Fiorentina began to struggle again. Four consecutive league losses in April to Napoli, Hellas Verona, Cagliari and Juventus put to bed any chances that the club had of qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition next season.
However, a five-game winning run – including a five-goal haul from a revitalised Josip Ilicic – to end the season ensured that Fiorentina would end the season in fourth place, and be handed another chance at Europa League glory, after just missing out this season.
Fiorentina’s early season league form was a stark contrast to their Europa League form. The Viola easily topped their group consisting of Guingamp, PAOK and Dinamo Minsk, with Montella handed a number of fringe players and impressive youngsters some much-needed game-time.
The likes of Federico Bernardeschi, Khouma Babacar, Juan Vargas and Jasmin Kurtic were all given chances to show their worth, and they did so with a number of impressive performances.
The knock-out stages would present a much sterner task for the men in purple, but they impressively saw off Tottenham Hotspur, Roma and Dynamo Kiev, before eventually succumbing to a magnificent Sevilla outfit in the semi-final. It must be said that Fiorentina matched their Spanish counterparts in both ties, but more composed finishing blew the aggregate score of 5-0 out of proportion of the reality of the tie.
Fiorentina’s Coppa Italia run would have also left a unpleasant taste, as they went out to bitter rivals Juventus in the semi-finals of the competition, after establishing a commanding lead in the first leg. Impressive wins over Atalanta and Roma in the previous rounds were left in vain, as the Viola capitulated 3-0 at home to a rampant Bianconeri in the second leg, to embarrassingly dump them out of the domestic cup.
The club can take a number of positives during the season however. Marcos Alonso returned from his outstanding stint at Sunderland last season with a renewed stoutness and vigour to establish himself as first-choice left back ahead of captain Manuel Pasqual.
The evergreen Borja Valero, Joaquin and Matias Fernandez all enjoyed outstanding seasons again in midfield, while new stars were born if Bernardeschi and Babacar’s performances were anything to go by.
The biggest disappointment of the season though, must go towards Mario Gomez, who crumbled under the weight of the goalscoring burden that was put on his shoulders after Rossi’s injury. The German netted a meagre four league goals, despite numerous chances and extended game-time, but he failed to repay Montella’s faith. A departure in the summer now seems the most genuine option for the lumbering front-man.
A busy summer lies ahead, with a number of players and the coach uncertain about their futures. Incumbent shot-stopper Neto has already confirmed he is leaving upon the expiry of his contract at season’s end, whilst Alberto Aquilani and David Pizarro could also leave when their current deals expire at the end of June.
On-loan trio Micah Richards, Alessandro Diamanti and Alberto Gilardino are all likely to return to their parent clubs when their temporary deals expire. The most important piece however, is the future of Montella, who is continually being linked with a move to AC Milan. All should be resolved in the coming weeks.
Player of the Season
This goes to Mati Fernandez. The 29-year-old Chilean international has enjoyed a career-best season at a personal level, establishing himself as an important pillar in Montella’s set-up.
Since moving to Florence from Sporting Lisbon in 2012, Fernandez has shown glimpses of his extraordinary talent, but has only this season transformed into a consistent, artistic play-maker at the fulcrum of his side’s best play.
His performances have reportedly drawn the admiring glances of Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri in recent weeks, who is keen to bring the talented play-maker to Turin in the summer.
Goal of the Season
There is no contest for the Viola’s goal of the season which goes to Mohamed Salah for his goal against Juventus in the Coppa Italia.
Salah’s incredible goal started in his own half, as he delightfully controlled a clearance then set upon a sprint towards the goal, nutmegging Simone Padoin, before rifling a shot past Marco Storari in the opposite corner.
It was truly a goal of beauty, and right in the middle of Salah’s purple patch for the club.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgGYRswarxI[/youtube]
Best and Worst Signings
There is no question of who got the better deal between Chelsea and Fiorentina regarding the swap between Juan Cuadrado and Salah. No one could’ve predicted the impact the 22-year-old Egyptian would’ve made following an unsuccessful spell at Stamford Bridge.
His trickery and composure in front of goal – nine strikes in 24 games – were a huge part of the Viola’s mid-season resurgence, and has installed himself as the new hero among the Viola faithful.
Another temporary signing from the Blues will have to take out the converse award. Marko Marin arrived in the summer amid much expectation following a good season at Sevilla, but struggled to impress Montella.
The diminutive German international failed to make a single league appearance, only making sporadic attendances in the Europa League, and thus his loan deal was cut short in January, where he promptly went on loan to Belgian side Anderlecht.
The Coach
The popular Montella had his most difficult campaign with the Viola, with an injury-crisis threatening to derail his whole campaign.
But he showed his mettle by putting it together after a difficult start to issue a challenge on all three fronts right up until the culmination of the season.
It remains to be seen where Montella’s future lies, with reports linking him with an exit all season, but his departure will certainly leave a huge hole among in Florence.
