Josh Brillante says his whirlwind start to life at Fiorentina has taken him by surprise as he prepares for a potential assignment against the likes of Real Madrid superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
After sealing a move to the Stadio Artemio Franchi last month, the 21-year-old has settled into life with Viola remarkably quickly, finding himself involved in first-team games and even scoring the winner in a friendly against Univeristario.Vincenzo Montella's team has at least one more run-out before their Serie A campaign begins, an enticing meeting with UEFA Champions League holders Madrid in Warsaw this weekend.
If Brillante is involved, it will mark a meteoric rise for the former Newcastle Jets player, who just three months ago was a surprise inclusion in Australia's provisional World Cup training squad.
"I really didn't know what to expect when I first arrived, (but) I could be playing against Real Madrid in a couple of days," he told The Courier-Mail.
"You just never know what happens. So far it's been so good."
It remains to be seen if Brillante can force his way into regular first-team contention, with the Serie A opener away to Roma on August likely to provide at least some indication of where the newcomer sits in Montella's plans.
"These are only pre-season games. The season hasn't started yet.
"The real thing is for me to be playing in the Serie A. That's what I'm working towards now and hopefully I get that opportunity sooner rather than later."