ACF Fiorentina was founded on August 29, 1926, through the merger of two local clubs - CS Firenze and PG Libertas. The club has a rich history spanning nearly a century of Italian football. In 2002, the original club faced bankruptcy and was refounded as Florentia Viola, starting from Serie C2 (fourth tier). The club quickly rose back to Serie A by 2004, reclaiming its historic name and identity along the way, demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of financial crisis.

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Fiorentina has achieved significant success both domestically and in Europe. The club has won 2 Serie A Championships (1955-56, 1968-69), 6 Coppa Italia titles (1939-40, 1960-61, 1965-66, 1974-75, 1995-96, 2000-01), and 1 Supercoppa Italiana (1996). In European competitions, they won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1960-61) and have been runners-up in the European Cup (1956-57), UEFA Cup (1989-90), and UEFA Conference League (2022-23, 2023-24). Notably, Fiorentina is the first team to reach the finals of all four major European club competitions.

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Known as I Viola (The Purples/Violets) or I Gigliati (The Lilies), Fiorentina's identity is strongly tied to its distinctive purple colors, which were adopted in 1928, replacing the original red and white. The club plays its home matches at Stadio Artemio Franchi, which has a capacity of 43,147. Based in Florence, Tuscany, Fiorentina represents one of Italy's most culturally significant cities and has cultivated a passionate and loyal fan base throughout its history.

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Fiorentina currently competes in Serie A, Italy's top football division. The club has been owned by Rocco B. Commisso since June 2019, who has invested in its infrastructure, including the construction of Viola Park, the club's first training center, which opened in October 2023. Under coach Vincenzo Italiano, the team has shown recent European success by reaching consecutive UEFA Conference League finals in 2022-23 and 2023-24, becoming the first club to achieve this feat in the competition. This recent progress suggests a positive trajectory for the club as it builds on its storied legacy while developing modern facilities and competitive squads.

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Officially known as \"Serie A TIM\" due to sponsorship arrangements, this prestigious competition stands as one of the most celebrated and followed football leagues globally. With its rich tactical heritage and roster of legendary clubs, Serie A football has significantly influenced the development of the sport worldwide.\n\nThe league enjoys immense popularity both domestically and internationally, consistently ranking among Europe's elite competitions according to UEFA coefficients. Serie A statistics demonstrate its competitive nature, with the league being recognized by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) as the world's best national league in 2023.\n\n## History\n\nSerie A history dates back to 1898 when the first Italian football championship was contested, though the modern Serie A creation as a round-robin tournament wasn't established until 1929. Prior to this standardization, the championship followed various regional and knockout formats as Italian football gradually professionalized.\n\nThe Serie A development timeline reveals several significant evolutions, including changes in the number of participating teams from 16-18 clubs in earlier decades to the current 20-team format. Throughout its existence, the league has weathered world wars, economic challenges, and the infamous *Calciopoli* scandal of 2006 that reshaped the competitive landscape.\n\nThe league has been graced by some of football's most illustrious talents, including **Giuseppe Meazza**, **Michel Platini**, **Diego Maradona**, **Roberto Baggio**, **Paolo Maldini**, and more recently, **Cristiano Ronaldo** during his time at \"Juventus\". These legendary figures contributed significantly to Serie A's global appeal and technical reputation.\n\n## Competition Format\n\nThe Serie A format currently features 20 clubs competing in a double round-robin system, with each team playing 38 matches per season (home and away against every other club). The league operates from August to May, adhering to the standard European football calendar.\n\nSerie A rules employ the conventional three-point scoring system: three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a defeat. Final standings are determined first by total points, with head-to-head results, goal difference, and goals scored serving as tiebreakers when necessary.\n\nThe Serie A tournament structure includes a promotion and relegation system, with the bottom three teams descending to Serie B while three teams ascend from the second division. European qualification is a crucial aspect of the competition, with the top four finishers earning Champions League berths, while fifth place (along with the Coppa Italia winner) qualifies for the Europa League. The sixth-placed team typically enters the Conference League qualification phase.\n\n## Famous Teams\n\nSerie A teams feature some of football's most storied institutions, with \"Juventus\" standing as the most decorated club, having claimed an impressive 36 championship titles throughout its illustrious history. The Turin giants have established themselves as a dominant force in Italian football, particularly during their unprecedented run of nine consecutive championships from 2012 to 2020.\n\nOther Serie A clubs with remarkable trophy cabinets include \"Inter Milan\" with 20 league titles and \"AC Milan\" with 19 championships. Both Milanese giants share the iconic San Siro stadium and contest the passionate Derby della Madonnina, one of football's most renowned local rivalries.\n\nThe list of Serie A winners also features clubs like \"Napoli\", whose recent 2024-25 triumph added to their legacy, along with traditional powers such as \"Roma\", \"Lazio\", \"Fiorentina\", and \"Bologna\". The intense rivalries between these clubs, including the Rome Derby between \"Roma\" and \"Lazio\" and the Derby d'Italia between \"Juventus\" and \"Inter Milan\", add tremendous drama and cultural significance to the league calendar.\n\n## Statistics and Records\n\nSerie A records are headlined by \"Juventus\" with their unmatched 36 championships, establishing them as Italy's most successful club. \"Inter Milan\" holds the distinction of being the only club to have participated in every Serie A season since the league's reorganization in 1929, demonstrating remarkable consistency at the elite level.\n\nIndividual Serie A statistics feature **Silvio Piola** as the all-time leading scorer with 274 goals, a remarkable record that has stood the test of time. In terms of appearances, **Paolo Maldini** leads with 647 matches, all for \"AC Milan\", embodying the loyalty and longevity that characterized his legendary career.\n\nOther notable Serie A players who have left indelible marks include **Francesco Totti** with his one-club loyalty to \"Roma\", **Gianluigi Buffon** with his goalkeeping excellence, and **Alessandro Del Piero** with his technical brilliance for \"Juventus\". These figures helped establish Serie A's reputation for tactical sophistication and defensive mastery.\n\n## Current State\n\nThe current Serie A season maintains the 20-team format that has been standard for many years, with clubs battling for both the championship and European qualification spots. Following \"Napoli's\" triumph, traditional powerhouses like \"Inter Milan\", \"AC Milan\", and \"Juventus\" have reasserted themselves as primary contenders, while ambitious clubs like \"Atalanta\", \"Roma\", and \"Lazio\" continue to challenge the established order.\n\nSerie A today remains crucial to Italian football's development, serving as both a showcase for domestic talent and an attractive destination for international stars. The league's tactical innovations and coaching methodologies continue to influence football globally.\n\nInternational recognition of Serie A has rebounded in recent years, with Italian clubs making deeper runs in European competitions. The implementation of modern infrastructure developments and financial reforms has helped Serie A overcome challenges and maintain its position among Europe's elite leagues.\n\n## Interesting Facts\n\nSerie A facts include the unique tradition of the **Scudetto** (little shield), which allows the reigning champions to wear a small shield featuring the Italian flag on their jerseys throughout the following season. The winners also receive the \"Coppa Campioni d'Italia\" trophy to commemorate their achievement.\n\nSome of the most Serie A interesting matches include the \"Game of the Century\" between \"Italy\" and \"Germany\" at the 1970 World Cup, which featured primarily Serie A players, and the dramatic final day of the 1999-2000 season when \"Lazio\" overtook \"Juventus\" to win the title in remarkable circumstances.\n\nOther Serie A stories of note include the league's pioneering role in tactical innovations, particularly the development of the *catenaccio* defensive system and subsequent counter-attacking strategies. Serie A was also among the first major leagues to implement Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, demonstrating its commitment to embracing modern developments in officiating.\n\nThe league's global influence extends beyond the pitch, with Italian football fashion and culture—from the elegantly designed kits to the passionate ultra culture in the stands—contributing to Serie A's distinctive identity in the world football landscape.","active":true,"short_code":"ITA SA","category":1,"top_position":null,"stb_internal_id":"0192fb8a-cc30-7810-a0c4-e69d419cab3f","overrides":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":true,"inactive":null,"description_html":"

Serie A: Italy's Premier Football Championship

Introduction

Serie A is the top-tier professional football league in Italy, representing the pinnacle of the country's football pyramid system. Officially known as \"Serie A TIM\" due to sponsorship arrangements, this prestigious competition stands as one of the most celebrated and followed football leagues globally. With its rich tactical heritage and roster of legendary clubs, Serie A football has significantly influenced the development of the sport worldwide.

The league enjoys immense popularity both domestically and internationally, consistently ranking among Europe's elite competitions according to UEFA coefficients. Serie A statistics demonstrate its competitive nature, with the league being recognized by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) as the world's best national league in 2023.

History

Serie A history dates back to 1898 when the first Italian football championship was contested, though the modern Serie A creation as a round-robin tournament wasn't established until 1929. Prior to this standardization, the championship followed various regional and knockout formats as Italian football gradually professionalized.

The Serie A development timeline reveals several significant evolutions, including changes in the number of participating teams from 16-18 clubs in earlier decades to the current 20-team format. Throughout its existence, the league has weathered world wars, economic challenges, and the infamous Calciopoli scandal of 2006 that reshaped the competitive landscape.

The league has been graced by some of football's most illustrious talents, including Giuseppe Meazza, Michel Platini, Diego Maradona, Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini, and more recently, Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at \"Juventus\". These legendary figures contributed significantly to Serie A's global appeal and technical reputation.

Competition Format

The Serie A format currently features 20 clubs competing in a double round-robin system, with each team playing 38 matches per season (home and away against every other club). The league operates from August to May, adhering to the standard European football calendar.

Serie A rules employ the conventional three-point scoring system: three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a defeat. Final standings are determined first by total points, with head-to-head results, goal difference, and goals scored serving as tiebreakers when necessary.

The Serie A tournament structure includes a promotion and relegation system, with the bottom three teams descending to Serie B while three teams ascend from the second division. European qualification is a crucial aspect of the competition, with the top four finishers earning Champions League berths, while fifth place (along with the Coppa Italia winner) qualifies for the Europa League. The sixth-placed team typically enters the Conference League qualification phase.

Famous Teams

Serie A teams feature some of football's most storied institutions, with \"Juventus\" standing as the most decorated club, having claimed an impressive 36 championship titles throughout its illustrious history. The Turin giants have established themselves as a dominant force in Italian football, particularly during their unprecedented run of nine consecutive championships from 2012 to 2020.

Other Serie A clubs with remarkable trophy cabinets include \"Inter Milan\" with 20 league titles and \"AC Milan\" with 19 championships. Both Milanese giants share the iconic San Siro stadium and contest the passionate Derby della Madonnina, one of football's most renowned local rivalries.

The list of Serie A winners also features clubs like \"Napoli\", whose recent 2024-25 triumph added to their legacy, along with traditional powers such as \"Roma\", \"Lazio\", \"Fiorentina\", and \"Bologna\". The intense rivalries between these clubs, including the Rome Derby between \"Roma\" and \"Lazio\" and the Derby d'Italia between \"Juventus\" and \"Inter Milan\", add tremendous drama and cultural significance to the league calendar.

Statistics and Records

Serie A records are headlined by \"Juventus\" with their unmatched 36 championships, establishing them as Italy's most successful club. \"Inter Milan\" holds the distinction of being the only club to have participated in every Serie A season since the league's reorganization in 1929, demonstrating remarkable consistency at the elite level.

Individual Serie A statistics feature Silvio Piola as the all-time leading scorer with 274 goals, a remarkable record that has stood the test of time. In terms of appearances, Paolo Maldini leads with 647 matches, all for \"AC Milan\", embodying the loyalty and longevity that characterized his legendary career.

Other notable Serie A players who have left indelible marks include Francesco Totti with his one-club loyalty to \"Roma\", Gianluigi Buffon with his goalkeeping excellence, and Alessandro Del Piero with his technical brilliance for \"Juventus\". These figures helped establish Serie A's reputation for tactical sophistication and defensive mastery.

Current State

The current Serie A season maintains the 20-team format that has been standard for many years, with clubs battling for both the championship and European qualification spots. Following \"Napoli's\" triumph, traditional powerhouses like \"Inter Milan\", \"AC Milan\", and \"Juventus\" have reasserted themselves as primary contenders, while ambitious clubs like \"Atalanta\", \"Roma\", and \"Lazio\" continue to challenge the established order.

Serie A today remains crucial to Italian football's development, serving as both a showcase for domestic talent and an attractive destination for international stars. The league's tactical innovations and coaching methodologies continue to influence football globally.

International recognition of Serie A has rebounded in recent years, with Italian clubs making deeper runs in European competitions. The implementation of modern infrastructure developments and financial reforms has helped Serie A overcome challenges and maintain its position among Europe's elite leagues.

Interesting Facts

Serie A facts include the unique tradition of the Scudetto (little shield), which allows the reigning champions to wear a small shield featuring the Italian flag on their jerseys throughout the following season. The winners also receive the \"Coppa Campioni d'Italia\" trophy to commemorate their achievement.

Some of the most Serie A interesting matches include the \"Game of the Century\" between \"Italy\" and \"Germany\" at the 1970 World Cup, which featured primarily Serie A players, and the dramatic final day of the 1999-2000 season when \"Lazio\" overtook \"Juventus\" to win the title in remarkable circumstances.

Other Serie A stories of note include the league's pioneering role in tactical innovations, particularly the development of the catenaccio defensive system and subsequent counter-attacking strategies. Serie A was also among the first major leagues to implement Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, demonstrating its commitment to embracing modern developments in officiating.

The league's global influence extends beyond the pitch, with Italian football fashion and culture—from the elegantly designed kits to the passionate ultra culture in the stands—contributing to Serie A's distinctive identity in the world football landscape.

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Gennaro Borrelli: Profile