Meet Fiorentina’s preaseason squad

It’s been 33 days since Fiorentina’s last match. In the intervening month, we’ve had hundreds of transfer rumors, a lawsuit against Rocco Commisso, the release of next season’s schedule, and a revamped season ticket process that has irked many supporters. It’s a delight, then, to turn back to actual calcio, as the club announces its roster for preseason training, scheduled to start Wednesday, 12 July 2023, at the dazzling new Viola Park.

The squad

GK Pietro Terracciano, 33: The number one for the past couple of seasons is back, although the club will likely add competition for him.

GK Michele Cerofolini, 24: After a few strong late-season performances, he’s sparked interest among clubs in the top 2 tiers and could secure a loan move rather than languishing as the third goalkeeper for another year.

GK Tommaso Vannucchi, 16: Popped up on the bench a few times last year and should fight for minutes with the Primavera, although he may feature more at U17 levels.

GK Tommaso Martinelli, 17: Italy’s U17 number one has been hailed as a long-term starter for Fiorentina but needs plenty of time to develop.

CB Nikola Milenković, 25: Will join the squad late as he’s still on vacation but will reprise his role as the team’s defensive leader.

CB Igor, 25: Despite links to Fulham, the Brazilian thigh god will fight for a spot next to Milenković and hope to regain his form from 2021-2022.

CB Lucas Martínez Quarta, 27: The all-action statistical anomaly will try to reestablish himself as a starter after spending last year as more of a rotational option.

CB Luca Ranieri, 24: His rise from afterthought to starter in a European final was one of last year’s best stories and he’ll try to build on that momentum to seize a starting job.

CB Christian Biagetti, 19: A Primavera regular who’ll rinse and repeat for Daniele Galloppa.

CB Pietro Comuzzo, 18: The Italy U18 international broke into the Primavera setup last year and will be a rock for Galloppa’s boys, but this is his first chance with the senior side.

LB Cristiano Biraghi, 30: The captain was solid and even spectacular last year and we’ll expect more of the same, although the imminent arrival of Fabiano Parisi could offer him more opportunities to rest.

LB Aleksa Terzić, 23: Showed flashes last year as Biraghi’s backup but is likely on the way out.

RB Dodô, 24: The best purchase of the season should hit the ground running.

RB Niccolò Pierozzi, 21: Fantastic for Reggina in Serie B last year and could secure a job as Dodô’s backup with a strong preseason.

RB Michael Kayode, 17: A standout for the Primavera last year is rewarded by more time training with the first team. Will join the squad late as he’s still on vacation.

DM Sofyan Amrabat, 26: Still a Fiorentina player, but not for much longer. Will join the squad late as he’s still on vacation.

DM Rolando Mandragora, 26: Will be interesting to see how he’s used with Amrabat on the outs, but he’ll be in or around the XI no matter what.

DM Lorenzo Amatucci, 19: Impressive regista who may captain the Primavera this year. Will join the squad late as he’s still on vacation.

CM Gaetano Castrovilli, 26: Reinvented as a box-to-box midfielder and looked perfect as part of a double pivot, although his contract renewal seems to be stalling out over salary demands.

CM Alfred Duncan, 30: Always impressive but constantly overlooked and could be on the way out.

CM Alessandro Bianco, 20: Showed promising flashes last year and has been linked to several Serie B clubs for a loan move.

CM Jonas Harder, 17: Broke into the Primavera after impressing with the U18s last year. Despite the name, he’s Italian.

AM Giacomo Bonaventura, 33: Showed no signs of slowing down and will try to hang onto his job as the number 10.

AM Antonín Barák, 28: A full offseason should help him refine his role and get more involved.

AM Abdelhamid Sabiri, 26: The new arrival from Sampdoria comes with a reputation for long-range goals and could play on the left wing or as a 10.

RW Nicolás González, 25: Fiorentina’s best player is on vacation and will join the squad in the coming days.

RW Jonathan Ikoné, 25: The enigmatic Frenchman will try to reclaim his spot in the XI with a good preseason despite interest from Saudi Arabia.

LW Christian Kouamé, 25: The versatile Ivorian attacker proved his worth to the squad and should remain a key piece.

LW Riccardo Sottil, 24: Ahead of his 3rd consecutive make-or-break season, Handsome Rick has to stay healthy and replicate his early form from last year if he wants to stick around.

LW Josip Brekalo, 25: A January arrival who never got healthy, the Croatia international remains a bit of a mystery.

CF Arthur Cabral, 25: The people’s choice for the striker job, King Arthur will be his usual all-action self up front.

CF Luka Jović, 25: Sounds like the team’s trying to move him but he’ll compete with Cabral nonetheless.

CF Aleksandr Kokorin, 32: Hopefully leaves before he pollutes the rest of the squad.

CF Louis Munteanu, 21: Tore up the Romanian league last year but still doesn’t seem to be in the long-term plan, although a good preseason could see him get a chance. Can play up front or on the wing.

CF Filippo Distefano, 19: Made his first-team debut last year and should be a loan candidate for a Serie B team.

Notably absent

DM Vittorio Agostinelli, 21: The budding regista was good for Cosenza but needs more time learning the defensive side of the game before he’s ready to challenge for the senior side.

CM Marco Benassi, 28: Cremonese declined to buy him so he’ll find another loan in his final year under contract.

RW Ciro Capasso, 20: Aged out of the Primavera and should get a loan to Serie B or Serie C. His contract ends in 2024, but he and the club both have options to extend for 2 years.

CB Christian Dalle Mura, 21: Showed growth at SPAL and will try Serie B or maybe the bottom of Serie A this year as a long-term candidate for a first-team job.

CB Eduard Duțu, 22: The Romanian will try for another loan to Serie B.

RB Gabriele Ferrarini, 23: Failed at both Monza and Modena, so will try Serie B.

AM Toni Fruk, 22: Nice for HNK Gorica last year and should return to Croatia.

CF Gabriele Gori, 24: It just hasn’t happened for him and he’s only attracted interest from Serie C clubs.

CB Dimo Krastev, 20: The enormous Bulgarian is on track for a loan to Serie B.

CB Lorenzo Lucchesi, 20: Krastev’s partner in defense will aim for Serie B or Serie C.

RB Edoardo Pierozzi, 21: Niccolò’s twin struggled with Palermo and Como, neither of whom picked up his option. Another loan is on his horizon.

CB Jacob Rasmussen, 26: Excellent for Feyenoord last year but they didn’t take their option on him, although maybe they’re trying to get him for less.

CF Eljon Toçi, 20: The Albanian was the top Primavera goalscorer for the past 2 years and is under contract until 2026, so a loan move to Serie B is the target.

Staff

Vincenzo Italiano: Might just be Serie A’s most exciting young manager and will install some interesting new concepts this year.

Daniel Niccolini: Italiano’s long-time second-in-command played for Fiorentina in the 2002-2003 season.

Piero Campo: Has been with Italiano since the Trapani days and focuses on fitness.

Ivano Tito: Linked up with Italiano at Spezia and also focuses on fitness.

Mirko Balestracci: Joined the Italiano team at Spezia too and focuses on fitness and injury rehab.

Damir Blokar: The fitness coach has been a Fiorentina staple since 2010 and is regarded as one of the best in the business.

Marco Savorani: The goalkeeping coach just joined the staff after stints with Atalanta, AS Roma, and Tottenham Hotspur.

Marco Turati: A technical assistant who played with Italiano at Hellas Verona and has worked with him since 2019.

Stefano Firicano: The chief match analyst who’s been with Italiano since Trapani.

Paolo Riela: A long-serving analyst.

Luca Pengue: Chief medical officer since 2014.

Niccolò Gori: Assistant medical officer with a lengthy history of work with the Italian national rugby team.

Giovanni Serni: Sports surgeon and native Florentine.

Cristian Serni: Longstanding nutritionist and native Florentine.

Stefano Dainelli: Head physiotherapist has been at the club since 2003.

Andrea Giusti: Physiotherapist who’s worked with the team for years.

Simone Mazzei: Physiotherapist since 2016.

Simone Michelassi: Physiotherapist since 2014.

Filippo Nannelli: Physiotherapist since 2015.

David Petrangeli: Physiotherapist with a rugby background who joined the staff last year.