Viola Station 75: Reactions, predictions, and a whole lot of loan talk

Mike and Mike convene to break down the Napoli loss in both scatological and eschatological terms, trying to figure out what went wrong (everything) and what went right (nothing). Napoli certainly deserved to win but holy smokes was that unpleasant. It was maybe so unpleasant that your favorite Fiorentina podcast idiots think this might have been a Joshua Brillante situation, a demonstration that the squad needs a lot of work in January. That naturally took us into a discussion about the winter transfer window, which we were able to have because Tito wasn't around to be grouchy about it. We talk about the incoming (Michael Folorunsho, Pablo Marí), the outgoing (Lucas Martínez Quarta), and the rumors surrounding players who fall into either category. As you can imagine, that's a lot. Along the way, we learn about Larry David theme music defending, the difference between a fart and a shart in a metaphor, and all about Jarritos sodas. Thanks to the Sport Social Podcast Network for hosting us and to Windchime Weather for the theme song. Hit us with questions on the website, Twitter, or Bluesky. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it. Forza Viola! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11 Tammi 1h 30min

Fresh off a disheartening defeat against unpleasant Udinese, two-thirds of your favorite podcast idiots convene to discuss the state of Fiorentina. Producer Mike and Tito run through the collapse against the Zebrette, trying to figure out what went wrong and maybe salvage some positives. From there, the conversation took a turn into what's changed for the Viola since Edoardo Bove's exit, trying to figure out some mitigation strategies to replace his unique contributions. After that, we classed up the joint with our favorite (only?) Juventus expert: Danny Penza of BWRAO. Danny and Tito ran through Juve's season to date, including the ex-Fiorentina contingent, and tried to get a handle on what Thiago Motta's been cooking up besides potions of health. We capped it off, of course, with some predictions. Along the way, we learned about McMike's attempts to evade NORAD, Producer Mike's goose-like fear of wooden canines, and Tito's 6-dimensional chess predictions. Thank you to the Sport Social Podcast Network for hosting us and thank you to Windchime Weather for the music. Hit us up on the website, Twitter, or Bluesky if you want to get in touch. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it. Forza Viola! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

24 Joulu 20241h 26min

While McMike's under the weather and possibly suffering Nyquil hallucinations, your remaining favorite Fiorentina podcast idiots--that'sProducer Mike and Tito if you weren't clear--run through the latest goings on. At the top of our minds, of course, is Edoardo Bove, because his medical episode was terrifying, and we first and foremost hope that he's okay and that he does whatever's best for his health going forward. Losing him for the foreseeable future, though, means that Daniele Pradè and Roberto Goretti have a lot more work to do in the January transfer window, although there may be some in-house solutions to replace Edo. Returning to actual stuff on the pitch, we also discussed the Cagliari game and touched on the Coppa Italia before taking a dive into the future of the goalkeeping position in Florence. Along the way, we also discussed whether it's better to get punched in the mouth or grabbed by the nipple and who's going to stake out McMike's house to confirm that he's alive, as is a Viola Nation tradition. Thanks to the Sport Social Podcast Network for hosting us and to Windchime Weather for the music. Hit us up on the website, Twitter, or Blue Sky with any questions. As always, we hope you enjoy listening to this one as much as we enjoyed making it. Forza Viola! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 Joulu 20241h 11min

Your favorite Fiorentina podcast idiots have decided to sit down in front of their microphones and tempt fate in a way that would make a Sophocles protagonist wince. That's right, we're still flushed with the afterglow of a Moise Kean-inspired win over Hellas Verona and, as we gaze into the abyss of the international break, we're feeling okay. Fine. Good, even. Because we're trying to figure out if Fiorentina is actually good. And you know what? We do. We break down that Verona game, naturally, and compare it to some other recent and perhaps slightly less enjoyable wins against mid-table opposition. We sing Kean's praises, of course, but also dip into some of the less noticeable heroes as well (central defenders, this one's for you). After that, we dip into the depth chart and what the injuries--Albert Guðmundsson, Danilo Cataldi, Marin Pongračić--mean for a team competing on three fronts. We also (big sigh) dip into the winter transfer market, looking at what kind of player the club should target after the APOEL loss laid bare the issues at certain key positions. Along the way, we learned about McMike's grandmother's communication advice, what plant-based beverage Producer Mike will shill for, and just how far Tito can stretch a pit bull metaphor. Big thank you to the Sport Social Podcast Network for hosting us and to Windchime Weather for the music. Hit us with questions on the website or on Twitter. As always, we hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it. Forza Viola! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 Marras 20241h 20min

Still wrapped in the warm embrace of a 5-1 battering of Roma, your favorite Fiorentina podcast idiots are in as good a mood as they've been in for quite some time. McMike and Tito open with a long discussion about that incredible performance against the listless Giallorossi, trying to figure out if the limit exists for this edition of the Viola. After that, we run down the injury list, which launches us into a conversation about the current squad depth, which is somehow simultaneously frightening and also better than it's been in years. We round this episode off with a quick look ahead to the Genoa and Torino games, making some predictions that'll send you to look for some holy water, just in case. Along the way, we learn about McMike's masochistic Wheaties, what kind of cloud Producer Mike would be, and Tito's lonely tennis games. Big thanks to the Sport Social Podcast Network for hosting us and to Windchime Weather for the music. Hit us up on the website or on Twitter if you've got questions. As always, we had a blast making this and hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording it. Forza Viola! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

31 Loka 20241h 18min

The club may be on break but (two-thirds of) your favorite Fiorentina podcast idiots are hard at work. McMike and Tito open this one up with a glimpse back at that insane AC Milan game before looking into how the Viola boys are faring on international duty. Then, for the 3rd episode in a row, it's a look at what might possibly be the chance of a potential agreement between the club and the city for a lease agreement on the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Maybe. The highlight of the episode, though, is obviously you. We got a bumper crop of listener questions that got us talking about all kinds of stuff, from the most unfairly criticized player in the team (Mike-R) to what could be happening to the transfer market after a CAS ruling on Lassana Diarra (Hesanka) to our worst reactions to watching a game (Martin Simanjutak) and everything in between. Along the way, we learned about a healthier McMike, Tito lying facedown on a barroom floor, and the Producer Mike specter of negativity that can seize an unwilling host at any moment. As always, thanks to Sport Social Podcast Network for hosting us and to Windchime Weather for the music. Hit us with any questions on the website or on Twitter. As always, we hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed making it. Forza Viola! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Loka 20241h 49min

Your favorite Fiorentina podcast idiots are back following a snoozefest of a draw at Empoli to, well, discuss the Viola. We start off with a look back at happier times before dipping into some more of Rocco Commisso's comments to the media about the future of the team (content warning: very silly). The meat of this episode, though, is a conversation about what we learned from the Empoli game. We talk about the tactical benefits of a back 3 compared to a back 4, shout out ginger teen god Pietro Comuzzo, and try to figure out if there are any lessons to take into the midweek tie against crack Welsh outfit the New Saints. Along the way, we learn about McMike's post-Disney party hangover, Producer Mike's unconscionable refusal to share his fluency in Welsh, and Tito's musings about what other compound phrases follow the same pluralization rules as attorneys-general. Thank you to the Sport Social Podcast Network for hosting us and to Windchime Weather for the music. Feel free to reach out to us on the website or on Twitter. As always, we hope you enjoy listening to this one as much as we enjoyed making it. Forza Viola! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3 Loka 20241h 3min

Want to know who's happy that the international break is over? Yep, it's your three favorite Fiorentina podcast idiots, who are back on the microphone and raring to discuss everything Viola. After running down Tito's safe return from the woods and a quick rehash of the transfer window, we're delighted to dive into affairs that are considerably more current. That means, of course, that we're trying to glean information from Rocco's recent comments to the media; the club owner turned the bombast way down from pressers past and we're fascinated to pick through this Commisso conversation (now with 100% less McMike slander!) and see what we can learn about Fiorentina's long-term direction, from the stadium to potential sales to where Serie A can go from here. Don't worry, though. We move from the esoteric and philosophical to the painfully tangible as we break down that heartbreaker of an Atalanta game, trying to figure what, if anything, it means for Raffaele Palladino and his still-winless boys in the coming weeks and over the rest of the season. Along the way, we learn whose house McMike allegedly hasn’t been inside of recently, how Producer Mike’s going to fix this defense, and Tito’s interest in a new player co-ownership model. Big thank you to the Sport Social Podcast Network for hosting us and to Windchime Weather for the music. Feel free to reach out to us on the website or on Twitter. As always, we had a blast making this and hope you enjoy listening. Forza Viola! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

19 Syys 20241h 17min