Fiorentina 1997-1998 Away Short Sleeve Football Shirt [As worn by Batistuta, Oliveira & Rui Costa]

Description

This is the fully-customizable short-sleeve away kit for Fiorentina’s 1997-1998 season.

The 1997-1998 season was a significant one for Associazione Calcio Fiorentina, as they aimed to establish themselves as one of the top teams in Serie A. Under the leadership of manager Alberto Malesani and the presidency of Vittorio Cecchi Gori, Fiorentina showcased an attacking brand of football, finishing fifth in the league and narrowly missing out on a Champions League spot. Malesani’s tactical acumen saw the team deploy a dynamic 3-5-2 formation, which allowed their talented forwards to flourish.

The season was particularly notable for the prolific partnership between Gabriel Batistuta and Luís Oliveira, who together scored an impressive 36 goals in Serie A. Batistuta, once again, proved to be the lynchpin of Fiorentina’s attack, finishing as the club’s top scorer with 21 league goals and 24 in all competitions. His ability to find the back of the net in crucial moments was instrumental in Fiorentina’s campaign. Luís Oliveira complemented Batistuta perfectly, adding both goals and assists, thus making the duo one of the most feared attacking partnerships in the league.

Fiorentina’s midfield was orchestrated by the brilliant Portuguese playmaker Rui Costa, whose vision and creativity were vital in supplying the forwards. Rui Costa’s performances ensured that Fiorentina’s attacking play remained fluid and incisive. Supporting him in midfield were players like Stefan Schwarz and Sandro Cois, who provided both defensive solidity and the ability to transition the play effectively.

Defensively, Fiorentina relied on the likes of Aldo Firicano, Pasquale Padalino, and Giulio Falcone to maintain a sturdy backline. Their efforts were backed by the dependable Francesco Toldo in goal, who delivered several match-winning performances throughout the season.

Despite their strong league performance, Fiorentina had a less successful run in the Coppa Italia, where they were knocked out in the quarter-finals. However, the team’s overall performance was commendable and laid a solid foundation for future successes. Malesani’s departure at the end of the season to Parma was a significant change for the club, but his successor, the legendary Giovanni Trapattoni, was seen as a statement of intent by Fiorentina to compete for the league title in the coming seasons.

The Stadio Artemio Franchi witnessed many memorable matches during this campaign, with the fans fervently supporting their team through highs and lows. The season highlighted Fiorentina’s potential to compete at the highest level and hinted at a promising future under the new managerial direction of Trapattoni.

Notable Players: Francesco Toldo, Giulio Falcone, Michele Serena, Giovanni Piacentini, Pasquale Padalino, Aldo Firicano, Stefan Schwarz, Emiliano Bigica, Gabriel Batistuta, Rui Costa, Stefano Bettarini, Sandro Cois, Andrei Kanchelskis, Luís Oliveira, Edmundo.

Main Points

• This is a brand new jersey with its tags attached. It has never been worn, washed or used.
• The jersey is 100% polyester. It’s breathable, and made for a life on the move.
• Fully customizable with the name and number of your favourite player or even yours! Just choose the Custom Jersey Option and then message us your desired name and number or write them in the order’s notes at checkout.
• Replica Version. This jersey is a remake of the official one, made with the exact same materials, look, and feel.
• Tighter fit: make sure you choose the right sizing. We recommend buying one size bigger than you usually wear. This will ensure the jersey will fit.

Sizing Guidelines

This jersey comes in five sizes, which have a tiny difference: they’re a smaller fit. Our suggestion is to pick your size 1 size bigger than you usually would. If you usually wear an M, pick an L. If you usually wear an S, pick an M.