The summer of 1993 brought sweltering heat to Florence and a transfer bombshell: Alessandro Del Piero (7), Juventus' crown jewel, had requested a transfer after struggling for playing time. Pablo Lombardi didn't hesitate. With a suitcase full of cash from Borgonovo's sale to Udinese, he stormed into Turin with an offer that left the Bianconeri executives breathless: $8 million plus 10% of any future transfer fee.
"He'll wear the number 7 and become Baggio's heir," Pablo promised.
What he didn't say was that he already had another plan in mind—a name that had been scribbled in his notebook for months: Iván Zamorano (1+8).
The Torment of the Red Beast
While Del Piero signed his contract under flashing cameras, Pablo flew to Madrid to meet Zamorano. The Chilean, then Sevilla's star striker, listened skeptically:
"In Italy, defenders will break me in half," he said, recalling his stint at Swiss club St. Gallen.
Pablo spread three videos across the table:
Batistuta (9) holding off three center-backs.
Zidane (10) threading inch-perfect passes.
Cafú (2) crossing like clockwork.
"Here, you won't fight alone. You'll become a legend."
Zamorano, eyes burning like coals, signed at dawn.
The Dream Debut
Serie A – Fiorentina vs. Lazio
August 29, 1993 – Artemio Franchi
The team took the field with a historic lineup:
Buffon (1) (absolute debut at 15).
Cafú (2) and Carboni (3) on the flanks.
Zidane (10) and Del Piero (7) in midfield.
Batistuta (9) and Zamorano (18) up top.
First Half:
11': Zidane floated a pass over the defense. Zamorano, leaping impossibly high, headed it home. 1-0.
33': Del Piero dribbled past two defenders and unleashed a left-footed rocket off the post. Zamorano buried the rebound. 2-0.
The crowd chanted something unprecedented: "Uno más ocho, gol seguro!" ("1+8, guaranteed goals!")
Second Half:
67': Signori pulled one back for Lazio. 2-1.
89': Batistuta received the ball at the edge of the box, feinted twice, and let it roll. Zamorano sprinted like lightning to slot it home. 3-1.
After the whistle, the Chilean ran to the bench and hugged Pablo with tears in his eyes:
"I've never played with a 10 like the Frenchman."
Pablo pointed to Zamorano's jersey:
"And no one has ever played with a striker like you."
The Night of the Two Nines
Champions League Group Stage
September 15, 1993 – Fiorentina 4-3 Manchester United
Old Trafford trembled at the Viola spectacle:
6': Cantona opened the scoring. 0-1.
19': Zamorano turned Bruce and fired in Del Piero's pass. 1-1.
45': Batistuta converted a penalty after Zidane was fouled. 2-1.
61': Giggs equalized following Buffon's error. 2-2.
78': Zamorano headed in Cafú's cross. 3-2.
88': Schmeichel saved Batistuta's shot, but Del Piero tapped in the rebound. 4-2.
90+2': Hughes scored the final 4-3.
In the locker room, Ferguson sneaked in to congratulate Pablo:
"Your two nines are monsters. How did you pair them?"
Pablo pointed to Zidane, who was massaging Zamorano's feet:
"Great men need someone to set the table."
Zamorano's Oath
December 1993. Fiorentina led Serie A when Zamorano received a mega-offer from Inter. Pablo waited for him in the Artemio Franchi tunnel with a VHS tape:
"Watch this before deciding."
The video showed his 14 goals in 18 games, each celebrated by hugging a different teammate. At the end, a message: "In Florence, we're not players. We're family."
The next day, the Chilean tore up the offer.
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