In the picturesque city of Florence, a football renaissance is underway. At the heart of Fiorentina’s stunning Serie A revival is a man reborn: David De Gea. Released by Manchester United in 2023 after a glittering 12-year spell, the Spanish goalkeeper’s career appeared to be winding down. Yet three months into his Italian adventure, De Gea is making history with the Viola.
From Old Trafford to the Artemio Franchi
When De Gea arrived at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, expectations were modest. Fiorentina had scraped through Europa Conference League qualifying and collected just one win in nine matches under new boss Raffaele Palladino. The omens looked grim when De Gea shipped three goals on his competitive debut against Puskás Akadémia.
Fast forward to November, and the narrative has been spectacularly rewritten. Fiorentina have won seven consecutive Serie A games, equaling a club record set in 1960. De Gea has been essential to this streak, keeping five clean sheets—more than any other goalkeeper since his league bow on September 15th.
Defying Father Time
At 32, De Gea is producing saves that defy his advancing years. A stunning triple-stop against Como left even opposition manager Cesc Fàbregas, De Gea’s former Spain teammate, purring with admiration. Viola fans, meanwhile, have been treated to a string of match-winning interventions from their new idol.
“I never thought about retirement,” De Gea insists. “It was just difficult to find motivation for a new chapter after 12 years at a top club.”
That motivation has been rekindled in Florence. De Gea kept himself sharp during his footballing exile with one-on-one coaching and padel sessions, but even he has been surprised by how seamlessly he’s adapted to the rigors of Serie A.
Palladino’s Midas Touch
Credit must go to Palladino. The rookie head coach has demonstrated tactical flexibility and a knack for extracting the best from his squad. Fiorentina have transitioned from gung-ho pressing to a compact 4-2-3-1 shape, focusing on defensive solidity and rapid counters.
This approach has breathed new life into the likes of Moise Kean, who endured a goalless 2023-24 campaign with Juventus but has netted 12 times in 15 outings for the Viola. Germany international Robin Gosens has also been revitalized, earning a recall from Hansi Flick, while Roma academy graduate Edoardo Bove is flourishing under Palladino’s tutelage.
“Moise did not play his best game today, from a technical standpoint, and I’ve already spoken to him about it. Obviously from the outside, everybody just sees his goal.”
– Raffaele Palladino on Moise Kean after the Como win
Dreaming of Europe
Whisper it quietly, but Fiorentina fans are starting to dream of a first Scudetto since 1969. Palladino is keeping his players grounded, highlighting the unique circumstances of this Serie A season, but the Viola sit just one point off the summit. Their +17 goal difference is bettered only by Atalanta and Napoli.
| Pos | Team | Pl | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Napoli | 13 | 11 | 29 |
| 2 | Atalanta | 13 | 18 | 28 |
| 3 | Inter Milan | 13 | 17 | 28 |
| 4 | Fiorentina | 13 | 17 | 28 |
| 5 | Lazio | 13 | 14 | 28 |
Europe’s elite are taking note of the Tuscan upstarts. Fiorentina may not be built for a title tilt, but with De Gea rolling back the years and a squad brimming with reborn talents, the Viola are daring to believe. The road ahead is daunting, starting with a clash against Inter after the World Cup break, but this is a team that has already defied all expectations.
In David De Gea, Fiorentina have found an unlikely talisman—a player who embodies their newfound resilience and spirit. With a Renaissance man between the posts, the Viola renaissance looks set to continue.
