Marin Pongracic

Key strength: Adaptability

Versatile player

At the heart of ACF Fiorentina's desperate fight for survival stands Marin Pongračić, a 28-year-old Croatian international whose €7.5 million valuation belies the towering responsibility on his shoulders. Anchored in 18th place in a season that threatens to end in catastrophe, La Viola's backline turns to this defensive cornerstone to weather the storm. Partnering Pietro Comuzzo in a rearguard protected by legendary David de Gea, Pongračić brings the aerial dominance and tactical maturity that struggling teams crave most. Despite the pressure, his calm marshaling of the defense offers glimmers of hope. With attacking talents like Moise Kean and Albert Gudmundsson up front needing a solid foundation, the Croatian's leadership in the trenches becomes Fiorentina's lifeline. For a club whose storied history makes relegation unthinkable, every header won, every tackle timed, and every moment of defensive organization from Pongračić carries the weight of salvation itself. This is not a campaign for trophies—it's a battle for survival, where one defender's resolve could mean everything.