Fiorentina ends English tour with positives despite mixed results

The curtain has fallen on Fiorentina’s summer tour of England, a pre-season journey designed to test Stefano Pioli’s squad against Premier League opposition and accelerate preparations for the upcoming Conference League qualifiers. The final act came on the grand stage of Old Trafford, where the Viola held Manchester United to a 1–1 draw before falling 6–5 in the penalty shoot-out.

Across the three matches, Fiorentina recorded one draw, one defeat, and one loss on penalties, but the numbers tell only part of the story. Pioli used the tour to give minutes to new arrivals and young prospects, fine-tune tactical solutions, and measure his team’s progress against opponents further along in their preparations.

The opening fixture saw a heavily rotated side fall 2–0 to Leicester City, a game in which most senior players were introduced only in the final stages. Against Nottingham Forest, the Viola fielded a line-up closer to the expected starting XI, earning a goalless draw in a balanced contest. The finale in Manchester brought the most complete performance, with the debut goal of Swiss midfielder Adrian Sohm and encouraging displays from Nicolò Fagioli and Marin Pongracic.

Not everything clicked yet: Moise Kean looked sharp but still searching for the finishing touch, while Albert Gudmundsson and Edin Džeko have yet to reach peak condition. Defensive organization improved as the tour progressed, and the midfield showed signs of greater cohesion, particularly with the integration of Sohm.

Beyond results, the tour offered valuable lessons in intensity, physicality, and tempo—elements Pioli’s side will need when European competition begins. With the return to Florence, the focus now shifts to final training sessions, potential late moves in the transfer market, and the decisive Conference League play-off later this month.

Support Florence Daily News

Florence Daily News is an independent news site covering the stories, culture, and life of Florence and Tuscany. We don’t rely on clickbait, invasive or hidden advertising, or paywalls. Instead, we believe in quality journalism that respects our readers and serves those who care about thoughtful, local reporting.

If you value our work, consider supporting us with a donation.

Donate securely via Stripe below.