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Amalfitano: Are Fiorentina well-equipped to finish in Champions League territory?
Prior to bringing in ex-Atalanta defender Yohan Benalouane before their away match against Genoa, Fiorentina coach Paulo Sousa disappointingly stated, “we’ve needed a new defender since August… The club knows what we need to compete at a certain level.”
This would be an understandable statement, if it wasn't a repetition of the tune we've heard time and time again over the past few seasons under previous coach Vincenzo Montella.
It goes along the lines of: Fiorentina perform well, dazzling opposition via their aesthetically pleasing brand of football, eventually raising expectations higher than their previous table position.
Then comes the winter transfer window. The Della Valle family never really seem to invest enough for their coaches’ liking, with question marks over squad depth arising in December. The rest, as they say, is history, with the Viola's exhausting brand of football taking its toll, and taking the winning mentality required to push through the tough matches with it.
And then comes the disappointment: Fiorentina have now finished fourth for three straight seasons, falling just short of qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition.
Despite arrivals including Giuseppe Rossi, Mario Gomez, Borja Valero and Juan Cuadrado, long transfer sagas have seen the club come short of other quality targets as well.
This would be an understandable statement, if it wasn't a repetition of the tune we've heard time and time again over the past few seasons under previous coach Vincenzo Montella.
It goes along the lines of: Fiorentina perform well, dazzling opposition via their aesthetically pleasing brand of football, eventually raising expectations higher than their previous table position.
Then comes the winter transfer window. The Della Valle family never really seem to invest enough for their coaches’ liking, with question marks over squad depth arising in December. The rest, as they say, is history, with the Viola's exhausting brand of football taking its toll, and taking the winning mentality required to push through the tough matches with it.
And then comes the disappointment: Fiorentina have now finished fourth for three straight seasons, falling just short of qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition.
Despite arrivals including Giuseppe Rossi, Mario Gomez, Borja Valero and Juan Cuadrado, long transfer sagas have seen the club come short of other quality targets as well.
One just wonders how Fiorentina would’ve fared had Rossi and Gomez not suffered long-term injuries and had the chance to play with another for a period of time. The former hit 14 goals in 18 appearances before falling to injury in the 2013/14 campaign and subsequently missed the entirety of the following season.
Simply put, fans have grown tired of the Della Valle’s empty promises to fully strengthen their club, leading to anger, frustration and, over the last few seasons, some intensifying calls for change. Supporters have accused ownership of a lack of ambition - manifested thorugh a lack of ambition on the transfer market - which has repeatedly left a depleted squad to play on two fronts, the Europa League providing all the work and none of the play of its more prestigious sibling.
It has to be said that a clearly unhappy Sousa did little to stand by management, revealing the presence of an “air of defeat” inside the city. A banner was raised on the weekend in support of Sousa stating “Fans, Coach, Players, let’s fight for a dream, in spite of their plan” The club demanded an apology from the 45-year-old over his remarks, but President Mario Cognigni and Sousa have made peace, causing the tension to subside for the moment,
Turning our attention back to the current season, Sousa has led his men to the top of table twice, keeping the lead for a combined five rounds. The football he has implemented at the Artemio Franchi is up there with Napoli as the best in Italy.
Simply put, fans have grown tired of the Della Valle’s empty promises to fully strengthen their club, leading to anger, frustration and, over the last few seasons, some intensifying calls for change. Supporters have accused ownership of a lack of ambition - manifested thorugh a lack of ambition on the transfer market - which has repeatedly left a depleted squad to play on two fronts, the Europa League providing all the work and none of the play of its more prestigious sibling.
It has to be said that a clearly unhappy Sousa did little to stand by management, revealing the presence of an “air of defeat” inside the city. A banner was raised on the weekend in support of Sousa stating “Fans, Coach, Players, let’s fight for a dream, in spite of their plan” The club demanded an apology from the 45-year-old over his remarks, but President Mario Cognigni and Sousa have made peace, causing the tension to subside for the moment,
Turning our attention back to the current season, Sousa has led his men to the top of table twice, keeping the lead for a combined five rounds. The football he has implemented at the Artemio Franchi is up there with Napoli as the best in Italy.
But this begs the question: can the Portuguese coach’s tactics could be improved? Are his ideas too demanding, too roundabout, and not entirely efficient?
While the Viola largely boss possession – up to 73% in some matches – their numbers for shots inside the box are on the lower end of the scale. Whoscored.com ranks Fiorentina 14th in Italy for shots taken inside the penalty area (excluding the six yard box) while putting them in first for strikes attempted outside the 18.
Fiorentina excel in dominating possession, but the relaxed fashion of their ball movement allows opponents to set themselves properly without being entirely stretched. One could argue Juventus don’t showcase an attractive as a brand as Fiorentina, but efficiency is king at the end of the day.
Rumours have sparked up regarding a June exit for Sousa, but for now he’ll fight to the end with his current crop. Mauro Zarate, Cristian Tello, Panagiotis Kone and Tino Costa have all arrived at the Artemio Franchi, but it could be argued the aforementioned players don’t really suit its current needs.
Fiorentina excel in dominating possession, but the relaxed fashion of their ball movement allows opponents to set themselves properly without being entirely stretched. One could argue Juventus don’t showcase an attractive as a brand as Fiorentina, but efficiency is king at the end of the day.
Rumours have sparked up regarding a June exit for Sousa, but for now he’ll fight to the end with his current crop. Mauro Zarate, Cristian Tello, Panagiotis Kone and Tino Costa have all arrived at the Artemio Franchi, but it could be argued the aforementioned players don’t really suit its current needs.
There are still many matches to be played and the Viola will surely be tested at home to Inter on Sunday. If the result doesn’t go their way and with the Europa League coming up next week, increased tensions will be raised in Florence.
Matthew Amalfitano (@_MattFootball)
