Fiorentina's torrid 2011/2012 season called for a complete overhaul in the summer and that was indeed what happened. Vincenzo Montella's highly successful spell in charge at Catania gave him his first opportunity at a big job in Florence. It was certainly a "big job" in every sense as Montella was charged with the responsibility of completely revolutionising a sleeping giant of Italian football. Riccardo Montolivo and Matija Nastasic were big losses but other dead weight needed to be shifted and a vast number of new players were brought in. It can often take a long time for a new manager to imprint his style on a squad of players, especially those who have been recently acquired and have never played together. Therefore, it must go down as the managerial performance of the season by Montella for what he was able to achieve with this team. Fiorentina not only improved their league position boundlessly by finishing in the top four, they also did it with an attractive and enterprising style of football which embodied their manager. Montella's philosophy of playing expressive football was no more evident by his transfer dealings and team selections especially in midfield where he played without a recognised enforcer. The newly purchased trio of Alberto Aquilani, David Pizarro and Borja Valero, who was the pick of the bunch, were all ball-playing midfielders who were deployed with the idea that keeping possession was the best form of defence as well as attack. Montella showed his versatility too by switching from a 3-5-2 to a 4-3-3 after a run of poor results which lead to a return to form. Whatever the system, Juan Cuadrado seemed to excel whether it be as a wing-back or an out-and-out winger. The Colombian showed glimpses of his talent at relegated Lecce last season but was able to perform consistently this campaign to become one of the best wide-men in Serie A. One of Montella's greatest achievements may have been his ability to get the best out of Adem Ljajic. Always a precocious talent but often erratic and ill-disciplined, the youngster was at the heart of the sacking of previous coach, Delio Rossi, after being physically assaulted by the veteran manager in a game last season. However, the Serbian has knuckled down under his new boss and has fulfilled his great potential with some skillful displays which have included a healthy number of goals and assists. The defence still needs some work with Facundo Roncaglia looking promising in the early campaign but losing form towards the end. Stevan Jovetic, the player given the biggest star billing, had a poor season despite being top scorer. His performances were apathetic and he seems to have run his course in a Viola shirt with a summer transfer imminent. However, the biggest disappointment for the club was missing out on a Champions League place in the dying moments of the season after some questionable refereeing decisions went Milan's way. Nevertheless, to say that missing out on Europe's premier club competition on the final day of the season was a "disappointment" for Fiorentina just shows how far Montella has taken the club in twelve short months. Keeping hold of him will be the number one priority in the summer as he is clearly the man to continue the evolution of Fiorentina.
