The air in Florence smelled of chalk dust and strong coffee as Pablo Lombardi drew the final tactical diagram of preseason. Three trophies gleamed in the main hall of Campo di Marte, but the whiteboard bore only one word in red letters: HUNGER.
"Last year, we were invincible," Pablo said, locking eyes with each player. "This year, we'll be merciless."
Zamorano, with a fresh scar above his brow (a souvenir from the Champions final), tightened his wrist tape:
"I don't fear those coming for our throne, mister. The ones to fear are those who don't know it yet."
He meant the Galácticos of Real Madrid, the resurgent Manchester United, and above all, that Juventus side that had spent a fortune on new signings.
The Clash of Titans
The season began with a statement:
European Super Cup – Fiorentina vs. Lazio
August 27, 1999 – Stadio Olimpico
12': Verón fired a 30-meter missile for Lazio. 0-1.
34': Zidane chested down a cross, nutmegged Nesta, and equalized with a left-footed curler. 1-1.
88': Zamorano headed in Cafú's cross to seal it. 2-1.
But the real test came in December:
Champions League Group Stage
Fiorentina vs. Real Madrid
December 8, 1999 – Santiago Bernabéu
Madrid unveiled their new stars: Raúl, Figo, and Roberto Carlos. Fiorentina responded with collective discipline and genius:
23': Redondo's through ball found Raúl, but Buffon soared like a hawk to parry it.
45+1': Zidane stole possession, danced past Helguera, and assisted Batistuta. 0-1.
89': Roberto Carlos equalized with a free-kick that kissed the crossbar. 1-1.
The draw left an iconic image: Zidane and Roberto Carlos embracing, swapping jerseys.
The Perfect Storm
February 2000 brought their first real crisis:
Cafú tore his soleus muscle.
Batistuta battled chronic groin pain.
Zidane received a three-match suspension.
The lowest point came in Serie A:
Fiorentina 0-3 Roma
March 12, 2000
Totti masterclass: 2 goals, 1 assist.
Buffon, unusually error-prone, was subbed off at 67'.
Pablo gathered the team and played a five-minute clip of headlines:
"The Viola dynasty crumbles."
"Without Cafú and Zidane, they're ordinary."
Zamorano shattered the silence by punching a locker:
"They'll eat us alive if we keep this up."
The Rebirth
April 2000. Fiorentina faced Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals:
First leg (Germany):
11': Élber scored. 1-0.
44': Zamorano equalized via Del Piero's pass. 1-1.
89': Buffon saved Effenberg's penalty.
Second leg (Florence):
33': Batistuta scored directly from a corner. 1-0.
78': Zidane sealed it with a left-footed rocket. 2-0 (3-1 agg.).
They advanced to face Chelsea in the semifinals.
The Unforgettable Final
Champions League Final
May 24, 2000 – Stade de France
Fiorentina vs. Valencia
A clash of styles:
18': Mendieta's penalty for Valencia. 0-1.
36': Zidane equalized with a 25-meter screamer. 1-1.
89': Zamorano headed in Del Piero's cross. 2-1.
In extra time, Batistuta finished a counterattack. 3-1.
The Price of Glory
During the celebrations, Pablo found Zamorano weeping in the locker room:
"Why the tears, warrior?"
"Because I know it'll never be like this again, mister."
The Chilean was right. Real Madrid had tabled a record bid for Zidane, and Buffon was being courted by Juventus.
Pablo gazed at the three trophies and whispered:
"All cycles must end. But legacies... those are eternal."
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