The year concluded with the dreaded news for many in Italian football. After a heated debate among government officials, the Growth Decree, which offered tax breaks to foreign professionals, was allowed to expire.
This decree, launched in April 2019, had a significant impact on Serie A by reducing the tax load for teams signing international players by up to 50%. It facilitated transfers that might not have occurred otherwise. Calcioefinanza.it, a football finance site, estimated annual savings exceeding €20m for both Roma and Milan on their wage expenses, with Juventus closely trailing at €17.55m.
These changes won’t affect players already under contract. Yet, Giorgio Furlani, CEO of Milan, expressed that the abrupt end of the decree would alter their plans for the January transfer window. Beppe Marotta, Inter’s counterpart, labeled it as an “own goal” for Italian football. Lazio’s president, Claudio Lotito, highlighted how the decree had bolstered the domestic game, citing the presence of three Serie A teams in last season’s European finals.
However, there’s another perspective. The Italian footballers’ association (AIC) welcomed the news, suggesting that the decree had incentivized buying abroad rather than nurturing local talent. AIC President Umberto Calcagno noted, “From January 1, 2024, Italian and foreign players can compete on equal footing.”
Speaking of nurturing local talent, Fiorentina’s recent match against Torino showcased this perfectly. A cautious game saw two young Italians, 19-year-old Michael Kayode delivering a cross for Luca Ranieri to head in the winning goal, securing a 1-0 victory for Viola.
This triumph placed Fiorentina in the top four at the close of 2023, following a grueling year involving 64 games, including appearances in the Coppa Italia and Europa Conference League finals. Despite those losses, their strong start to the current season reflects the groundwork laid by manager Vincenzo Italiano.
Ranieri’s journey to becoming a vital player for Fiorentina was unexpected. Despite five years in the club’s academy, his initial professional seasons were spent on loan, struggling in lower leagues or battling relegation in Serie A with Salernitana.
However, Fiorentina’s Europa Conference League qualification opened doors. Ranieri, meeting Uefa’s homegrown player rule, secured a spot in the squad. Although unsure of his best position, his versatility proved valuable.
Now a regular on the team sheet, Ranieri’s hard work and adaptability have earned praise from Italiano. Scoring crucial goals, he’s become a fan favorite. His recent goal in Serie A further solidified his status.
Speculation surrounds Ranieri potentially earning a call-up to the Italian national team, despite occasional uncertainties about his playing style. Italiano’s pragmatic approach, focusing on collective effort, has helped Fiorentina excel, despite struggles to find goal-scoring consistency.
Despite challenges, Fiorentina, like other clubs in Italy, faces narrowed options due to the lapse of the growth decree. However, their resilience stands as a reminder that this setback might not be as catastrophic as feared.
Luca Ranieri
Luca Ranieri
This season he played in total 12 times for 816 minutes for Serie A.
Luca Ranieri scored 1 goal for Fiorentina. He procured no assists. He received 8 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 4th in Serie A. In the last match Fiorentina won 1-0 against Torino. The next match in Serie A will be against Sassuolo.
Fiorentina performance and stats
Fiorentina
Fiorentina is currently 4th in the Serie A with 33 points.
In the last 18 games, it has won 10 times, drawn 3 times, and lost 5 times. In its last match, Fiorentina won 1-0 against Torino.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 27 goals and conceding 18.
Fiorentina will play the next match in Serie A against Sassuolo on Saturday 6th of January in Reggio Emilia. The prediction is Fiorentina winning the match.
