Fiorentina vs Fiorentina U20

The format itself — two completely different XIs across two periods — meant the match was less a contest than a fitness exercise. The real turning point came in the second period when Kean entered the game. His physical presence and sharp movement immediately raised the tempo, and his two goals in a three-minute spell effectively extinguished any chance of a Primavera fightback after Beldenti's goal had briefly given them hope.

Moise Kean (Fiorentina) — Two goals, one assist, and a constant threat. The striker's movement was sharp for a first pre-season outing, and his assist for Pirrò's goal showed a willingness to bring younger players into the game. Player of the match.

Arthur Atta (Fiorentina) — A debut goal to remember. The new signing's backheel finish from inside the six-yard box was the highlight of the first period, and his energy in midfield alongside Mandragora and Ndour offered an early glimpse of what Grosso's midfield shape might look like.

Roberto Piccoli (Fiorentina) — Two goals across both periods, including a well-taken right-footed effort in the first period and a composed finish off the post in the second. The former Cagliari striker is pushing for a starting role.

Cher Ndour (Fiorentina) — One goal and one assist. The 21-year-old midfielder's solo run and curling finish into the top corner for the 4-0 goal was the standout moment of individual quality.

Official match statistics were not published for this closed training exercise, but the 8-1 scoreline — built from a 4-0 first period and a 4-1 second period — tells the story. The first team registered eight goals across two entirely different XIs against a Primavera side that, despite the scoreline, created at least one notable chance: David De Gea made a sharp save from Primavera's Mazzeo in the first period, demonstrating the Spaniard's sharpness early in pre-season.

This was Grosso's first public look at his squad after a week of training at the Viola Park. The new head coach, appointed in the summer, saw his senior team overwhelm the academy side as expected, but the individual performances — particularly from summer arrivals Atta and Viery (the Brazilian defender from Gremio who debuted) — will have been the most useful takeaway.

Fiorentina's pre-season continues with a friendly against Gubbio at the Viola Park on Wednesday 22 July (19:00 local), followed by a short tour of England: Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Saturday 25 July (15:00 BST) and Watford at Vicarage Road on Wednesday 29 July (19:30 BST). The Serie A season begins in August.

An 8-1 scoreline in any pre-season friendly should be read with caution — the gap between a Serie A first team and an under-20 side is vast, and the training-ground format with changing pitch dimensions made this more of a fitness session than a competitive match. But for Grosso and the Viola fans, the sight of Kean scoring twice, Atta marking his debut with a goal, and a fluid 4-3-3 shape taking shape offered genuinely encouraging signs. The real tests start against Gubbio and, further ahead, QPR and Watford in England.