(The tape recorder clicks on, briefly. I’ve got a train to catch.)
Saturday 9th May, away to Palermo, four days before the biggest match of the season, and I couldn’t have scripted a better tune-up. Albert Guðmundsson opened the scoring in the 9th minute, set up by Marc Pubill, who had one of those afternoons where everything he touched worked — an 8.0 rating and the best performer tag by the end of it. Nicolò Fagioli added a penalty on 36 minutes, Yeboah Kallon pulled one back for Palermo just after the break, and then Endrick and Harvey Elliott both got in on the act late on to make sure of it.
Palermo 1, Fiorentina 4. Sixty-six percent possession, 2.49 xG to their 1.17, fourteen shots to their ten — genuinely dominant from start to finish, exactly the kind of statement I wanted before Wednesday. My own staff called it a fantastic performance, and for once I’ve got no notes to add to that.
It follows a similarly comfortable 2-0 win over Como the week before — Roger Ibañez and Elliott both scoring, both teed up by Simone Pafundi, who’s clearly enjoying his return from injury. Two wins on the spin, goals flowing from all over the pitch, and the whole squad peaking at exactly the right moment.
Next time: Lazio, at the Olimpico, for the Coppa Italia. No more warm-ups left.