When Gabriel Batistuta helped Fiorentina to a Coppa Italia trophy

Fiorentina had a chance to compete in the Supercoppa Italiana this week due to a controversial new format which saw the Serie A and Coppa Italia runners-up included in a four team lineup.

Vincenzo Italiano’s side went home from Saudi Arabia with little more than a whimper as they lost 3-0 to Napoli in the opening semi-final.

Yet there was a time when La Viola lifted a cup. Let’s take a trip back.

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Anyone who knows Florence will understand exactly how special it would be for the only football team in the city – their beloved Fiorentina – to win a trophy. That notion prompted their legendary striker Gabriel Batistuta to admit he “would rather have won one title with a team like Fiorentina than ten with a team like Manchester United.” That’s how much it means to those from the Renaissance city. 

There had been riots in the streets due to the sale of Roberto Baggio to most hated rivals Juventus back in 1990 and the side suffered relegation to Serie B in 1993, yet supporters would see an upturn in fortunes after those unfortunate events. Along with his deadly accuracy, powerful shot and ability to score goals from any number of situations, Gabriel Batistuta demonstrated loyalty as another of his qualities as a footballer, opting to remain with the club in Serie B in order to help them regain their top-flight status. 

Well-respected Coach Claudio Ranieri was brought in to oversee their return, a move that would allay supporters’ fears that they would be stuck in the second tier, and indeed he achieved his brief at the first time of trying. Of course, the boss was helped in winning over the fans with the charisma and goals of star player Batistuta, but there was more than that side than just the Argentine number nine.