Six wins from seven matches catapulted Fiorentina to the summit of the Serie A table before the international break.
They were not among the favourites in the pre-season but a brilliant start augurs well for the Florence-based team.
Despite losing the services of winger Mohammed Salah, who joined Roma, Fiorentina had a very positive build-up to the campaign followed by victories over Milan (2-0), Genoa (1-0), Carpi (1-0), Bologna (2-0), Inter (4-1) and Atalanta (3-0) – the last five in a row.
With 14 goals in favour, Fiorentina boast the third most prolific attack in the Serie A and with just four goals against, they have the best defensive record in the entire division.
Fiorentina are unbeaten at home and yet to concede a goal at their Artemio Franchi stadium.
Their only setback in Serie A came on the second day when they surrendered an early lead in a 3-1 upset to Torino. Fiorentina, who have won their most recent of two league titles in 1969, are two points clear of nearest pursuers Inter.
Their upcoming fixtures – away to Napoli and at home to Roma – will shed more light on the Viola’s chances for the title.
In the Europa League, Fiorentina suffered an unexpected 1-2 home defeat to Basel – the club coach Paolo Sousa led to the Swiss Super League triumph last season – before thrashing Belenenses away 4-0.
Fiorentina’s surge to the top is no sheer coincidence. The positive results are the fruit of Sousa’s tactical nous and excellent work ethic from all the squad.
In this respect, Sousa, a former Portugal midfielder is proving to be an instant hit in the Italian league.
As an ex-Juventus player, he was greeted with a certain degree of scepticism from the fans who were endeared to former coach Vincenzo Montella. But it seems the former coach of QPR, Swansea and Leicester has already done enough to win over the hearts of the Fiorentina faithful.
Kalinic influence
Unlike other clubs, Fiorentina do not have star players in their squad but the team is strong in each and every department.
Nikola Kalinic – who joined from Dnipro – is proving to be one of the deadliest strikers in circulation.
The Croat has so far scored four goals in seven appearances. Fellow strikers Federico Bernardeschi and Khouma Babacar are also proving their worth to Fiorentina’s cause.
In midfield, Josip Ilicic, Borja Valero, Matias Fernandez, Milan Badelj, Mario Suarez, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Matias Falero Vecino provide ample options to Sousa both in terms of cover and creating scoring chances.
Goalkeeper Anton Ciprian Tatarusanu is having a good season and this season has kept five clean sheets.
The Romanian is well protected by Fiorentina’s almost impregnable defence composed of Davide Astori, back to his best after a colourless season with Roma, Marcos Alonso, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Facundo Roncaglia and Nenad Tomovic.
Fiorentina have all the ingredients to do well this season, however, it is still premature to assess their true potential.
The longer they can stay at the top, the brighter their prospects become to end a 47-year wait for the scudetto.
Note: The annual general meeting of the Viola Club Malta will be held at the St Anthony Band Club hall in Birkirkara, on Sunday. One may obtain more details by phoning 27451374 or 7931-9596.