The 2016-17 campaign was a season of frustrating regression for Fiorentina as La Viola finished 8th in Serie A, ultimately missing out on European qualification and marking the final chapter of manager Paulo Sousa's tenure. Leading the charge was the prolific Croatian striker Nikola Kalinić, whose 15 league goals (and 20 overall) proved decisive, anchoring an attack that also featured the electric, breakout talent of young Federico Chiesa and the eleven-goal contribution of Federico Bernardeschi. However, the season's memory is defined by the devastating and dramatic exit from the UEFA Europa League, where, despite holding a commanding lead against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Round of 32, the team collapsed to a crushing defeat at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. It was a turbulent year that underscored the club's struggle for consistency and signaled the need for change.