This former Arsenal man's inexorable (European)demise from the Premier League to Serie B would bring back memories of Millwall, Palace and West Ham

By Alessandro Schiavone in Lausanne

Conference League Matchday 6

Lausanne Sport 1-0 Fiorentina

Goal: Sigua 58' (LS)

Pablo Mari's woeful Fiorentina side are still on course to spend the upcoming season in the second-tier of Italian football all while playing in Europe.

With hindsight, the ex-Arsenal defender's side would have required a 3-0 win over the Swiss to seal a top-eight spot ahead of lowly Aek Larnaca on 12 points.

Instead Serie A's bottom side suffered a 1-0 defeat at Stade de la Tuilière.

It was Gabriel Sigua's header which rubbed further salt into the Viola's wounds.

Defender Mari, who was one of Mikel Arteta's early casualties at Arsenal, was not particularly at fault for the winning header inside the box. Maybe Tommaso Martinelli, who deputised for David De Gea, should have dealt better with it.

Yet if Fiorentina almost snatched a 95th leveller through a Simon Sohm's curler, it was down to the 19-year old Riccardo Calafiori lookalike as he exuded audacity on his second European outing after gracing the continent's pitch for the first time in Mainz last month.

Overall, the 1-0 win was a scant reflection of Lausanne's dominance. And the Swiss' lack of cutting edge coupled with the youngster in goal pulling off an array of brilliant saves almost backfired.

Yet Mari and his side are starring the bottom of the barrel and could face the embarrassment of having to travel around Europe all while playing in Serie B.

Sounds far-fetched with the calibre of players they have? Sure, but if it happened with goal monster Gabriel Batistuta in 1993, so you would not be betting against lightning strike twice.

Winless Fiorentina are eight points from safety having suffered defeats in nine of their opening 15 Italian top-flight games.

And now have the unwanted Conference play-offs against either Omonia Nicosia or Jagiellonia to negotiate. In the midst of their survival battle, the tie will be an unwanted distraction as the club are bidding to climb up the table.

Yet coming out on top cannot be taken for granted in such an ill-fated campaign, as their 50% losing ratio in Europe this term reflects.

Dividing their time between the Europa League and trips to Reggiana, Bari and Avellino?

It would not be the first time it happens.

Several London clubs including West Ham, Crystal Palace and Millwall were dealt a fate of that ilk.

The Hammers in 1980/1981, the Lions 24 years later. And in between, Palace ended up on the losing side in an Intertoto double header with Samsunspor in 1998.

Unless the culture is quickly reset and the club bring in some new faces, the two-time Conference League finalists could be in big trouble come late spring.

With Mari's inexorable decline from the Premier League to Serie A then complete.

Yesterday, teammate Rolando Mandragora was accused of throwing the captain's armband, which was due to end up on his arm after Edin Dzeko was taken off, to the floor instead of politely handing it to him.

Talk about an unmitigated disaster of a season where even positive moments are marred.

Yet it's nothing compared to the bittersweet campaign that would lie in the wings...