Fiorentina suffering worst Serie A start for almost 50 years

Stefano Pioli is increasingly under pressure after Fiorentina had a disastrous start to the season, their worst in almost 50 years, and a run of defeats not seen in almost a century.

The Viola had high hopes after bringing back Pioli for his second stint at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, but despite strong investments on the transfer market, it has been a real struggle.

They put together only three draws and three defeats in Serie A so far this season, culminating in a 2-1 loss to Roma on Sunday.

Fiorentina break records with awful start

It is only the third time in their history that Fiorentina have failed to amass any victories in the opening six rounds of the Serie A campaign, after 1935-36 and the 1977-78 seasons.

In both those editions, the club narrowly managed to avoid relegation in the final game.

Another unfortunate record was achieved, because the loss to Roma was their third consecutive home defeat in Serie A, following on from 3-1 to Napoli and 2-1 to Como.

Not since 1928-29 had Fiorentina suffered such a negative home streak, when falling 3-0 to Ambrosiana Inter, 2-1 to Genoa, and 4-0 with Lazio.

This was before Serie A had become a single league and even before the club had adopted their iconic purple colours.