Chapter 6 (1995-1996)

The smell of freshly cut grass and liniment oil filled the locker room of Artemio Franchi when Pablo Lombardi pinned a photo to the wall: the 1995-96 season calendar, marked in red from August to May. This wasn't just another year. It was the beginning of something even he, with all his future knowledge, couldn't fully predict.

"This season, we won't win everything," he said, locking eyes with each player. "But we'll learn to be invincible."

Zamorano, sitting in a corner with his knees bandaged, nodded silently. He knew what that meant.

The Omen of Autumn

Preseason in Tuscany was calculated torture. Pablo split the squad into groups:

The youngsters (Buffon, then 17, and Del Piero) ran sand dunes at dawn.

The veterans (Zidane and Cafú) drilled rehearsed plays.

The predators (Batistuta and Zamorano) trained finishing in the rain.

It was in a friendly against River Plate where the future flickered to life:

23': Batistuta bent a free kick off the crossbar for 1-0.

67': Zamorano, subbed on, headed home Cafú's cross past Germán Burgos.

89': Buffon saved Francescoli's penalty, sealing the 2-0.

On the flight back, Zidane asked Pablo:

"Why don't we play like this every week?"

"Because football isn't a show," Pablo replied. "It's a war of attrition."

The Battle of San Siro

Serie A – Milan vs. Fiorentina

October 29, 1995

Capello's Milan arrived unbeaten. Baresi, Maldini, and Desailly formed the world's best defense. Pablo countered with a surprise: Zamorano as a false nine, pulling defenders to free Batistuta.

First Half:

11': Zidane split Baresi and Maldini with a pass. Zamorano chested it down for Del Piero. 0-1.

33': Savicevic equalized after a defensive error. 1-1.

Second Half:

58': Batistuta collided with Desailly and limped off. Pablo didn't hesitate: "Iván, now's your time."

72': Cafú crossed from the right. Zamorano outjumped Costacurta and Maldini to nod it in. 1-2.

89': Buffon saved Weah's header on the line. The stadium fell silent.

At full time, Capello approached Pablo:

"Your forwards play like they read minds."

"They don't read them," Pablo said. "They write them."

The Night of Cold Stars

Champions League Group Stage

Fiorentina vs. Ajax

December 6, 1995

Van Gaal's reigning champion Ajax brought Total Football. Pablo's answer? An asymmetric 4-4-2:

Zidane roaming left.

Zamorano as a physical anchor.

The match was a clash of philosophies:

22': Kluivert capitalized on a defensive error. 0-1.

45+1': Zidane equalized with a 30-yard free kick. 1-1.

77': Zamorano turned Blind and fired a thunderbolt. 2-1.

In the locker room, Van Gaal told Pablo:

"You have a team of men, not boys."

Pablo pointed to Buffon, quietly changing at 17:

"That boy will play more finals than all your pupils combined."

The Warrior's Spring

April 1996. Fiorentina led Serie A and advanced in the Champions League, but the blow came in the Coppa Italia semifinal vs. Juventus:

First leg: Batistuta injured in a 1-1 draw.

Second leg: Pablo gathered the team:

"Today, we don't need tactics. We need heart."

At 88', the tie stood 0-0 (1-1 agg.), with Juve ahead on away goals—until:

Zidane stole the ball in midfield.

Zamorano sprinted 60 meters to receive the pass.

Del Piero ghosted in to finish the cross. 1-0 (2-1 agg.).

The iconic image: Zamorano carrying Del Piero on his shoulders, Buffon weeping on the bench.

The Price of Invincibility

May 1996. Fiorentina fell to Ajax in the Champions League semifinals, but Pablo was unfazed:

"We've planted roots. The tree will grow when it must."

Zamorano, with 12 goals in the competition, stared at the Artemio Franchi pitch after elimination. Pablo sat beside him:

"Greatness isn't measured by trophies, Iván. It's measured by the battles you inspire."

The Chilean looked up at the empty stands, where kids mimicked his goal celebrations.

"Then we'll return," he said. "And we'll win for them."

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