Fiorentina: Summer overhaul brings new life to the Viola

Mario Gomez – A new start in Italy

On the face of it, the decision to finally sell Stefan Jovetic to Manchester City was a risky and potentially backward step for Fiorentina. However, with some very shrewd and wise investments, the sale could springboard the Florence based club back into European football’s elite club category.

At this same time last year, Fiorentina were being astute as well. After a 2011/12 campaign that resulted in a disappointing 13th place finish, the club knew there were things to be done in order to turn the club around. Borja Valero, Alberto Aquilani and David Pizarro all came in and starred, adding steel and balance to a previously fluctuating and inconsistent team.

The team finished the 2012/13 Serie A in 4th, and although they were 17 points behind league winners Juventus, this was an impressive achievement for the club. In the 2013/14 season, they will be hoping to make a genuine title challenge.

One of the more surprising signings made by Fiorentina over the summer was the deal that saw former AC Milan stalwart Massimo Ambrosini join the club. Despite being aged 36, Ambrosini still has immense technical ability and always uses the ball intelligently. Many teams all over Europe have struggled to balance playing in European competition with quality and consistent league performances, so Ambrosini’s experience could make him the ideal off pitch leader for the Fiorentina as they enter the European football spectrum.

Of course, Fiorentina’s most notable signing this summer has been Mario Gomez. Gomez lost his spot in the regular Bayern Munich eleven to Croatian striker Mario Mandžukic in the previous season, and the German was clearly not willing to play second fiddle again, especially with the World Cup taking place in under a year’s time. His arrival is quite the coup for Fiorentina, and gives them a world class striker amongst their ranks, and probably one of the best in Serie A. Gomez is a livewire in the box, with precise timing.

Even more excitingly for Fiorentina is the fact that not all of the £22 million garnered from the sale of Jovetic went towards signing Mario Gomez. The electric pace and creativity of ex Real Betis, Valencia and Málaga man Joaquin (signed on a three year deal), in some respects summarises this Fiorentina team up, experienced and tactically clever under the guidance of 39 year old Vincenzo Montella, but also possessing some youthful exuberance.