The 2-2 draw between Fiorentina and Atalanta, which ended with Zalewski's goal, left the Florentine team even more frustrated than they already were. With just 125 minutes of advantage in the nine games played so far, the Viola find themselves among the teams least capable of maintaining superiority, surpassed only by Parma, Venezia and Monza. The result highlights two chronic problems: unstable defenses and a lack of leadership on the pitch.
The match against Atalanta was a clear example of these shortcomings. After JoaoMario's preview, the team suffered a rapid turnaround, with DeKetelaere losing control and the defense giving way. Zalewski's goal closed the score, but also highlighted Fiorentina's difficulty in managing minutes in front. In previous meetings, the team failed to maintain their lead against Roma, Frosinone, Turin, Venice, Naples, Genoa and Como, with only brief periods of superiority in each of these matches.
The minutes lead statistic is a key indicator of the team's difficulties. After Torino's comeback, where the lead lasted just 27 minutes, Fiorentina had just 60 minutes against Venezia, before going back to zero in the next three games. Even in San Siro, the advantage was 25 minutes, while the last match saw only 13 minutes of superiority before the draw. These numbers show a team struggling to capitalize on opportunities and maintain pressure.
The cause of this situation is often attributed to the lack of a true leader on the field. Fabio Paratici and the team coach, Vanoli, underlined the importance of a player with temperament, character and ability to lead the group. Without a point of reference, the responsibility falls on all the players, but the team has not yet found a profile that can take on that role. This deficiency has also been highlighted by recent performances, where Fiorentina have shown a lack of decisiveness in key moments.
The January transfer window could represent an opportunity to fill this gap. Fiorentina could focus on a midfielder or defender with experience, personality and leadership skills. These characteristics are essential to give stability to the team and improve advantage management. If the research is successful, it could mark a turning point for the Viola, who are currently struggling to find the coherence needed to compete in Serie A.