It would be really nice if someone had captured on video what happened in the Fiorentina locker room during half-time of the match against Lazio, with the Viola down by a goal to nil. Because it is bordering on inexplicable how a team almost never capable of being dangerous up front or compacting behind has completely turned the corner from that moment. Fiorentina won that match and did the same in four of the five subsequent matches. Not bad.
What was evident right from the start, however, was the change in attitude on the part of all the interpreters on the pitch, evidently more and more comfortable in implementing the coach’s dictates. But it is clear that, very simply, during that interval a team was born that today demonstrates self-awareness. And even against San Gallo, certainly not an irresistible opponent, Fiorentina took a further and very important step in growth.
The Fiorentina team challenged by Palladino is no longer just a collection of 11 players. Today, they are a team that has grown and is capable of beating teams like Roma. The proof is in their recent match against TNS, where they faced an opponent worth the same as one year of Martinez Quarta’s salary, more or less. Yet, with a team full of reserves, Fiorentina was unable to undermine the Welsh defense until the very starting players came on in the second half.
A script that seemed the same yesterday evening too. And instead, Biraghi and his associates managed to turn it around and deservedly bring home a victory even without making a massive use of the bench. This growth is not just about new signings, but about the improvement of the players already in the team. Sottil is doing well, Ikoné is doing very well, Biraghi still has a lot to say, Quarta confirms himself as one of the most dangerous defenders ever when it comes to going up.
In short, Fiorentina B works and, in general, the team continues to grow noticeably from match to match, a concept reiterated by Palladino himself even when it didn’t seem that way. And the Viola are now preparing to challenge Roma in the best possible conditions.
