Fiorentina hand Braschi big chance
Fiorentina entrusted 19-year-old centre-forward Riccardo Braschi with his first start at senior level for Sunday’s Serie A encounter against Genoa, marking another major milestone in his rise through the club’s ranks. At 6’3, the striker has progressed entirely within Fiorentina’s academy structure, having been born and raised in Florence before advancing through every level of the Viola youth system.
Born in August 2006, Braschi is among a generation of Italian footballers who have grown up without seeing Italy secure a knockout-stage victory at the World Cup. His inclusion from the opening whistle represents a significant moment for both the player and the club, which has closely monitored his development throughout the current campaign.
Primavera success opened the door
Despite regularly training with Fiorentina’s first-team squad this season, Braschi has remained a central figure for the club’s U19 side, where his output in the Primavera league has underlined his potential. Across 27 appearances, he has delivered 17 goals along with five assists, numbers that strengthened his case for greater senior involvement.
His steady progress did not go unnoticed. Stefano Pioli was the first Fiorentina coach to involve Braschi with the senior side, naming him in the matchday squad for the Conference League play-off against Polissya in August. Shortly afterward, he was also included for Fiorentina’s Serie A opener away to Cagliari, further signaling that the young striker was moving closer to a breakthrough.
Vanoli rewards the teenager with bigger responsibilities
While Pioli introduced Braschi to the first-team environment, Paolo Vanoli became the coach who provided his first senior appearance. That debut arrived in March, when Braschi came off the bench for the final eight minutes of Fiorentina’s 2-1 victory over Rakow Czestochowa.
His first appearance in Serie A came more recently on Monday night, when he was sent on at half-time to replace Albert Gudmundsson in the central attacking role due to the absence of injured Italy international Moise Kean. With Kean still unavailable for Sunday’s match, Vanoli increased Braschi’s responsibility even further by selecting him in the starting lineup against Genoa.
For a player who has spent his football education entirely within Fiorentina’s system, the decision represents the clearest indication yet that the club sees him as a genuine option at senior level.
