Dawn on September 1, 1996 found Gianluigi Buffon standing between the goalposts at Campo di Marte, weathering a storm of penalties fired by Batistuta from twelve yards out. The young goalkeeper, now 18 with muscles carved by brutal training, saved one after another with ice-cold composure.
"Again!" Batistuta roared as the Tuscan sun climbed higher.
Pablo Lombardi watched from the sidelines, coffee cooling in his hands. He knew what was coming: this season would be Buffon's trial by fire. That afternoon's Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund would prove it.
The Shadow of Champions
Signal Iduna Park roared as Fiorentina took the field with their boldest lineup yet:
Buffon in goal
Cafú and Carboni on the flanks
Zidane and Del Piero pulling the strings
Batistuta and Zamorano up front
The reigning German champions weren't ready for what hit them:
8': Zidane received the ball at midfield, hips swaying past three defenders like a matador, before splitting the defense with a pass. Zamorano streaked in to slot it home. 0-1.
33': Andreas Möller equalized from a dubious handball call against Vierchowod.
67': The moment that defined Buffon. Karl-Heinz Riedle's point-blank header seemed certain to score—until the Italian launched himself like a panther, fingertips diverting destiny.
"That boy isn't human!" the German commentator screamed.
89': Cafú's 80-meter sprint ended with a cross to the back post. Batistuta, jersey torn, volleyed it in. 1-2.
In the locker room, Matthias Sammer approached Buffon:
"How the hell did you save that header?"
The kid, still shaking with adrenaline, whispered:
"I thought it was my duty."
The Perfect Storm
November 1996. With Fiorentina leading Serie A, Barcelona came to Florence for a Champions League group-stage match that would become legend:
First Half:
12': Ronaldo (The Phenomenon) sent Vierchowod sprawling before finishing coldly. 0-1.
45+1': Zidane answered with a 25-meter rocket. 1-1.
Second Half:
61': Zamorano headed in Del Piero's corner. 2-1.
78': Figo capitalized on a rare Buffon error. The young keeper smashed his gloves against his head in frustration.
Then came Pablo's masterstroke: he subbed off a defender for Christian Vieri, forming a trident attack.
90+3':
Zidane's lob found Batistuta, whose shot was handled on the line by Stoichkov. Penalty. Red card.
Silence gripped Artemio Franchi. Zamorano placed the ball on the spot—then shocked everyone by handing it to Buffon, who'd sprinted 100 meters to join the attack.
"You've earned this," the Chilean said.
Buffon, breath ragged, locked eyes with Pablo. The manager nodded.
The shot was a howitzer into the top corner. 3-2.
Winter of Decisions
January 1997. The team led three competitions, but tension simmered:
Zidane had a blank-check offer from Real Madrid.
Batistuta was tempted by Manchester United.
Buffon's release clause had Milan drooling.
Pablo gathered them in the locker room after snow-lashed training:
"You could leave and double your wages elsewhere. Or stay and become violet icons."
No one moved.
Zamorano spoke first:
"I'm already rich, mister. What I want is to be legend."
The Fall That Forged Legends
Champions League Semifinal vs. Juventus
The Turin leg ended 1-1, with Del Piero scoring against his former club.
The Florence return became a nightmare turned miracle:
23': Vieri struck first. 1-0 (2-1 agg.).
67': Del Piero crumpled, clutching his knee after a clash with Ferrara. The stadium fell silent.
89': Conte's header made it 1-1 (2-2 Juve ahead on away goals).
In extra time, with Fiorentina limping from Del Piero's injury, came the defining moment:
119':
Zamorano took Cafú's pass at the edge of the box, turned Montero inside out, and fired. The ball kissed the post, then ricocheted off Peruzzi's neck into the net. 2-1 (3-2 agg.).
The stadium erupted. Buffon, weeping, embraced Zamorano as Juve's players collapsed on the pitch.
Pablo didn't celebrate. He knew the real battle waited in the final.