La Viola's 99th season — a new manager, European football, and a fight for the top half of Serie A
Fiorentina's 2025/26 campaign has been defined by turbulence off the pitch and inconsistency on it. A shocking managerial resignation before the season even began set the tone — yet La Viola remain active in three competitions, with key stars delivering in Europe even as Serie A form has been patchy. With 10+ rounds still to play, a European qualification place is still mathematically in sight.
The season's defining off-field story came before a ball was kicked. Raffaele Palladino resigned on May 30, 2025 — stunning the club, which had just extended his contract through 2027 only weeks prior. Fiorentina moved quickly, appointing Stefano Pioli, the former AC Milan boss who had been managing Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Pioli brings Serie A pedigree and a clear tactical identity, but integrating a new philosophy mid-squad cycle has been a work in progress throughout the autumn and winter months.
After 28 matchdays, Fiorentina sit 16th in Serie A — a disappointing position for a club with European ambitions. The season-long standings show Inter Milan running away at the top (67 pts), with AC Milan, Napoli, and surprise package Como all well clear. Fiorentina have managed just 13 wins from 43 matches across all competitions, with 12 draws and 18 defeats. One striking statistical anomaly: across Serie A, they recently went on an undefeated run of 13 consecutive matches — yet also hit a stretch of 10 matches without a win, illustrating the stark inconsistency that has defined the season. The team has conceded 56 goals across all competitions, pointing to defensive fragility as the core problem.
Serie A standings snapshot through Matchday 28 — Fiorentina in 16th with 28 points
Pioli fields a 3-5-2 / 3-4-3 system built around a mix of established names and emerging talent:
| Player | Goals (All Comps) | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Albert Gudmundsson | 9 | Forward/AM |
| Moise Kean | 9 | Striker |
| Rolando Mandragora | 7 | Midfielder |
| Roberto Piccoli | 6 | Striker |
| Cher Ndour | 4 | Midfielder |
| Robin Gosens | 3 | Wing-back |
| Luca Ranieri | 3 | Centre-back |
Top scorers across all competitions — 2025/26 season
Fiorentina are competing in the UEFA Europa Conference League — their third season of European football in recent years. The draw for the knockout phase play-offs was held on January 16, 2026, and the Round of 16 draw followed on February 27, 2026. Fiorentina have reached the knockout stages of the UECL in previous campaigns (they were finalists in 2023 and 2024), making Europe their most consistent hunting ground. A deep run in this edition remains their best realistic shot at silverware this season.