SOCCER: Fiorentina near their centenary with pride intact after persistent heartbreak

As Fiorentina approaches its centenary in August, the club’s history of near-misses rather than silverware has shaped a supporter culture defined by weary defiance and enduring belief.

The modern era has brought few rewards. Fiorentina’s most recent major domestic trophy remains the 2001 Coppa Italia, while their last sustained period of glory dates to the 1960s with a Serie A title, two Italian Cups, and a European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Recent failures have intensified frustration among fans in the Tuscan capital. Fiorentina lost the 2023 and 2024 Europa Conference League finals and were beaten in the 2023 Coppa Italia final, turning seasons of promise into familiar disappointment.

“It is not obvious… to support a team like Fiorentina,” said Antonio Bucciarelli, president of a Fiorentina supporters’ association. “We have had our share of suffering, on and off the field. Sometimes it is hard to explain to those on the outside. They ask, ‘Why do you support them if you never win?’ But the flame still burns.”

This season began with high hopes under veteran coach Stefano Pioli, who was expected to push Fiorentina into the top four. However, a poor start saw the team at the bottom of the table by November, leading to Pioli’s dismissal.

The arrival of Paolo Vanoli has restored some momentum. A resilient league run has lifted Fiorentina from the foot of the standings, and a spot in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals, where they will face Crystal Palace, offers fans a glimpse of possible redemption.

“I am used to the suffering,” Bucciarelli said. “I have a sort of body armor… For the younger generation, I just tell them to wait. One day we will win, and it will make it all worth it.”

Defiance Amid Uncertainty

As the centenary nears, the mood in Florence is one of defiance mixed with uncertainty. The deaths of general manager Joe Barone in 2024 and president Rocco Commisso earlier this year removed the central figures behind the so-called ‘Viola renaissance.’

“I have to thank both Commisso and Joe Barone for the effort they put into Fiorentina,” Bucciarelli said. “They showed they wanted to invest and always take a step forward. We ended up in European finals. Even though we lost, we were there.”

For many supporters, the anniversary is less about league standings and more about preserving the club’s identity.

“We are carrying the torch,” Bucciarelli said. “To the founders in 1926, I would just send them a big thank you. We didn’t win much, but the passion we feel is true passion. Without Fiorentina, what would I be? It isn’t just about the stadium; it’s the friendships and memories built there. It goes beyond the field. It’s about a sense of belonging to Florence.”

-Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Toby Davis/Reuters