Fiorentina is making waves in Serie A by handing a full senior debut to their homegrown talent, 19-year-old striker Riccardo Braschi, in Sunday's clash against Genoa. Here's everything you need to know about this rising star and why he's one to watch.

Standing at an imposing 6'3", Braschi is a classic centre-forward with a nose for goal. Born and raised in Florence, he's been with the Viola's youth system from day one, embodying the club's commitment to nurturing local talent. This season, he's been a standout for the U19 squad, racking up an impressive 17 goals and 5 assists in 27 Primavera league appearances—a stat line that screams potential.

His journey to the first team has been a steady climb. Former Fiorentina boss Stefano Pioli was the first to call him up, naming him in the matchday squad for the Conference League play-offs against Polissya in August, followed by the Serie A opener against Cagliari. But it was current coach Paolo Vanoli who gave Braschi his senior debut, bringing him off the bench for the final eight minutes of a 2-1 win over Rakow Czestochowa in March—a moment that hinted at bigger things to come.

Braschi's Serie A debut followed soon after, coming on as a half-time substitute against Genoa on Monday night, filling in for injured Italy international Moise Kean. Now, with Kean still sidelined, Vanoli has shown immense faith in the teenager by handing him his first start in the same fixture—a testament to Braschi's rapid rise and the trust the coaching staff has in his abilities.

Born in August 2006, Braschi represents a new generation of Italian talent that hasn't yet experienced World Cup knockout glory, but his performances suggest he could be part of the solution. For Fiorentina fans, seeing a local lad step up is a thrill; for the neutral, it's a glimpse into the future of Italian football. Keep an eye on this young striker—he's just getting started.