Going into matchday 14, the Viola are fourth in the standings and just one point off top spot thanks in no small part to some inspired signings
David de Gea's inability to agree terms with Manchester United over a new contract made his exit in the summer of 2023 inevitable. But he hadn't wanted to leave Old Trafford at all. Manchester was his home as far as he was concerned. So, he stayed, continuing to train in the city while awaiting offers from elsewhere.
De Gea may have been sometimes criticised for not being the greatest goalkeeper in the world with the ball at his feet but he was widely regarded as one of the game's elite shot-stoppers. It came as quite the shock, then, to see him sit out the entire 2024-25 season. There was talk of a summer switch to Saudi Arabia or the United States but, as the new season approached, there were legitimate doubts over whether De Gea would play football again.
However, on August 9, after more than a year out of the game, De Gea ended what he insisted was a self-imposed exile by signing for Fiorentina. "I received many offers," he revealed, "but I wanted to play in Italy. The negotiation was simple. Fiorentina were the best option."
And so it's proven, with De Gea playing a pivotal part in a footballing renaissance in Florence that has had his new club's social media proclaiming, "There's a new David in town!"
Getty ImagesThe post-Italiano uncertainty
The top of the Serie A standings makes for wonderful reading right now. There are just four points separating the top six and the presence of Fiorentina in fourth place, just one point behind leaders Napoli, stands out by a mile.
Why? Because nobody thought before the current campaign began that the Viola would have a decent shot at qualifying for the next-season's Champions League – let alone battling it out for top spot after 13 rounds of action.
During the heyday of Gabriel Batistuta and Rui Costa, Fiorentina were known as one of the seven sisters of Serie A, one of the league's strongest sides, but their title drought still stretches all the way back to 1969.
Furthermore, while their profile has been boosted in recent years by reaching back-to-back Conference League finals, they lost the coach responsible for both runs, with Vincenzo Italiano stepping down in the summer to take charge of Bologna, leaving Fiorentina's future shrouded in uncertainty.
And yet things couldn't be going much better for Italiano's replacement, Raffaele Palladino, right now…
AdvertisementGettyPalladino the prodigy
Palladino was first thrust into the Serie A spotlight at Monza, where he was plucked from the Primavera (Under-19s) by Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani and made head coach of the first team in September 2022 despite having no previous top-flight experience.
Rather remarkably, it proved a masterstroke. Palladino led Monza to their first-ever Serie A win in his first game in charge, against Juventus, and helped the newly-promoted side to safety with six games to spare.
Berlusconi was incredibly impressed by the novice's tactical acumen and man-management skills (though that didn't stop the notorious womaniser from trying to further motivate the players by promising them a "bus full of whores" if they continued their giant-killing exploits), while legendary coach Fabio Capello couldn't believe how well Palladino coped with the jump from youth sector to the senior squad.
"I thought it was a temporary choice," the European Cup winner told the . "When you move from the Primavera to the first team, most of the time it's just to respond to an emergency.
"However, Berlusconi and Galliani understood Palladino's qualities before everyone else. He has shown a great ability in the technical and tactical management of the team, and the group followed him, and trusted him."
There's already ample evidence to suggest that the 40-year-old has secured the same level of support in Florence.
Getty ImagesInfluenced by Pep but moulded by Gasperini
Palladino freely admits that he has been greatly influenced by Pep Guardiola's footballing philosophy, explaining that he embraces the basic principles of the Catalan's game.
"The search for control, building from the back, attacking with many players, being technically strong, and having intelligent players – I would say that my teams have this in common with his," he said, "but he does it at a very high level!"
However, Palladino's mentor is Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini, whom he played under at Genoa, and the former midfielder is the first to admit that he has "taken a lot" from his "teacher", including "the ability of my team to be able to attack the opponent very high up. The heart of our game is based on occupying space.
"It is not easy to explain it, nor to teach it on the pitch. But when the players understand, you see the results."
The Fiorentina squad certainly seem to have grasped what Palladino is demanding of them – and in a very short space of time, too.
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Getty ImagesFiorentina on fire
After picking up just three points from their first four games of the season, Fiorentina have dropped just two since the middle of September – a run of form that has seen them win their last seven matches in Serie A going into Sunday's meeting with reigning champions Inter at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
"How beautiful this Fiorentina are!" Viola legend Luca Toni enthused on earlier this week. "They’re doing something extraordinary."
Their success is unquestionably rooted in Palladino's tactical fluidity – Fiorentina often change their approach and formation to suit specific opponents – and the fantastic team spirit so quickly cultivated by the coach, who is adamant that he "loves" every member of his squad and thus treats them all as equals, meaning no differentiation between 'starters' and 'reserves'.
Consequently, several players are shining this season, including several new arrivals, including Robin Gosens, Edoardo Bove and Yavine Adli – three inspired loan signings from Union Berlin, Roma and AC Milan, respectively, that are testament to the fine work done by sporting director Daniele Prade in the transfer market.
Palladino's promotion of Pietro Comuzzo to the senior squad has also proven a masterstroke, as the teenager received his first Italy call-up earlier this month and is thus viewed as a sign of things to come, giving Fiorentina have invested heavily in their youth sector in recent years.
However, two players have undoubtedly played a more prominent role than everyone else.