Chapter 2 (1991-1992)

The plane from Buenos Aires landed at Peretola Airport under a leaden sky. Gabriel Batistuta, twenty-two years old with a mane of hair that was already becoming iconic, clutched a photo of his wife and children to his chest. He didn't know then that this medieval city, with its cobblestone streets and air of aged wine, would become his home forever. Pablo Lombardi waited for him on the tarmac, a violet jersey folded under his arm. The number 9 gleamed in the afternoon sun.

"Welcome home, Gabriel."

Batistuta, who had hesitated until the last moment between Fiorentina and Roma, felt something strange as he took the jersey. As if that number had always belonged to him.

The Agony of Adaptation

The first training sessions were torture. Pablo's system demanded that Batistuta (9), used to playing with his back to goal, learn to move in tight spaces and press without the ball.

"Don't just stand there like a damn post!" Pablo shouted during a finishing drill. "Here, the number 9 runs, defends, and scores."

The proud Argentine fired a blistering shot straight at him, which Pablo caught with his stomach.

"Then teach me, mister."

It was Cafú (2), with his favela Portuñol, who broke the ice:

"Relax, Gabriel. We all suffered at first."

The Debut No One Would Forget

Serie A – Fiorentina vs. Juventus

September 1, 1991 – Artemio Franchi

The stadium, packed for the first time in a decade, roared as the team took the field. Pablo had set up an audacious 4-4-2:

Cafú (2) and Di Livio (7) on the flanks.

Batistuta (9) alongside Stefano Borgonovo (10), already ill but full of heart.

Minute 18:

Batistuta received the ball near the center circle, turned, and left Tacchinardi in the dust with a sharp cut. He surged forward twenty meters before unleashing a left-footed missile from thirty yards out. The ball kissed the crossbar and crashed into the net. 1-0.

The Argentine sprinted to the corner flag, eyes wide, clutching his number 9 like a trophy. Fiorentina hadn't seen a goal like that since the days of Antognoni.

Minute 44:

Baggio, then Juventus' star, equalized with a dubious penalty. The Artemio Franchi whistled in fury.

Minute 89:

Cafú stole the ball in his own box and launched an unstoppable run. He dribbled past Dino Baggio near the corner flag and floated a cross to the back post. Batistuta, sandwiched between Ferri and De Agostini, leaped like a panther and scored with an overhead kick. 2-1.

The stadium erupted in collective ecstasy. Pablo, on the bench, didn't celebrate. He just wrote in his notebook: "G.B. is hungry for legend."

The October Crisis

Injuries and a lack of squad depth took their toll:

4-1 loss to Milan (Van Basten scored a hat-trick).

Pathetic 0-0 draw with Cremonese.

Batistuta complained privately: "We need more quality."

Pablo knew it was time to make moves.

The Heist of the Century

December 1991. While the world celebrated Christmas, Pablo flew to Cannes with a briefcase holding $3 million. There, on a half-empty training field, he watched a lanky nineteen-year-old Frenchman named Zinedine Zidane (10).

"In Florence, you'll be the brain of everything," Pablo told him, showing videos of his future role.

Zidane, shy but ambitious, signed before Bordeaux could react.

His unveiling was low-key. The press called him "the other Frenchman" (behind Didier Deschamps). But in his first training session, when he spun Di Livio with a 360-degree turn, everyone understood.

The Game That Changed Everything

Serie A – Fiorentina vs. Napoli

January 5, 1992 – San Paolo

Zidane made his first start. Napoli, with Maradona still in their squad, were favorites.

Minute 8:

Zidane received the ball in midfield, chipped Crippa with a sombrero, and threaded a perfect pass between three defenders. Batistuta slotted it home. 0-1.

Minute 33:

Careca equalized after a defensive mistake.

Minute 67:

The magic moment: Zidane controlled an aerial ball with his chest, let it drop, and fired from twenty-five meters. The ball arrowed into the top corner like a missile. 1-2.

Maradona, on the bench, stood up to applaud.

Minute 89:

Batistuta sealed the win after another Zidane assist. 1-3.

In the locker room, Pablo wrote another name in his notebook: Gianluigi Buffon (1).

The Oath of the 9

That night, Batistuta found Pablo reviewing tapes.

"Mister, why did you choose me?"

Pablo showed him footage of the goal against Juve.

"Because true number 9s don't ask for permission to make history."

The Argentine carefully peeled off his jersey and hung it on the rack.

"I'll never leave this place."

And he would keep his word.

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