A turbulent summer gave way to a torrid season for Fiorentina. Pre-season was littered with rumours that their coach, Sinisa Mihajlovic, was set to take over at Inter Milan. The Serbian stayed in charge but had to deal with the loss of some stalwarts of the team. Sebastien Frey left the club after years of loyal service but, fortunately, La Viola already had a more than capable replacement in Artur Boruc. One area where they didn't seem to strengthen whatsoever was in attack as Adrian Mutu was let go. There was also the ongoing saga with Riccardo Montolivo, who refused to sign a new contract.
Nevertheless, they made a decent start to the season with two strong performances at home and a battling away draw at Napoli before the cracks began to appear. Mihajlovic began to lose the dressing room and, fatally, the home crowd, who jeered him unmercifully after some tepid displays. He was sacked, making room for Delio Rossi. The early signs were positive with a draw against the Champions, Milan, and a 3-0 win over Roma. Both results were at home whereas they were utterly incapable of scoring, let alone getting results, on the road. They scored just once away from home before the winter break by which time they were slumping down the table. Alberto Gilardino was Fiorentina's only real goal-getter but he was horribly out of form. It still came as some surprise when they let him join Genoa in the transfer window. The enigmatic Amauri was the man drafted in to give them something different up top. The early signs were positive as he gave their star player, Stevan Jovetic, a foil to play off in attack. He provided a reference point but little more as he couldn't score either. With Jovetic picking up niggling injuries, Fiorentina really struggled without him. However, April provided a miracle as out of nowhere, they beat Milan at the San Siro after Amauri scored his only goal with a last minute winner! Another shock win at Roma virtually secured safety but the season wouldn't end quietly for La Viola. Rossi was dismissed for attacking Adem Ljajic after the player had sarcastically mocked his manager when being substituted. Unrest in the squad was perfectly encapsulated by Ljajic's petulance. His fellow Serbian, Matija Nastasic, was a much brighter spot for Fiorentina in defence but with calls for a revolution in Florence, one wonders how many of their top players will stay with Montolivo already joining Milan. A complete overhaul may be required.
