The 2001-02 campaign delivered a devastating, final season for the original AC Fiorentina club as La Viola plummeted to a crushing 17th-place finish in Serie A. The sporting failure, which included losing star players Rui Costa and Francesco Toldo and an early-season injury to Enrico Chiesa, was tragically compounded by the club's financial freefall, which ultimately led to bankruptcy, forcing a painful administrative relegation and a restart in the fourth tier (Serie C2). Despite the turmoil, young Brazilian superstarlet Adriano, on loan from Inter, provided a few flashes of brilliance, netting 6 crucial goals in his 15 appearances. It remains a defining chapter that saw a historic Italian club hit its lowest point before its eventual rebirth.