Closing in on prime-flight survival, Fiorentina can successfully affirm their Serie A standing with a win over Sassuolo on Sunday, when the groups will meet at Stadio Franchi.
However, the Neroverdi purpose to spoil these plans, as they eye a prime-half end on the finish of a wonderful comeback marketing campaign.
Match preview
While they fumbled a lead in Lecce, Fiorentina nonetheless picked up one other treasured level on Monday evening, drawing 1-1 down at Stadio Via del Mare.
Extending their unbeaten streak to 6 Serie A matches, that saved them eight factors away from their hosts, who occupy the final relegation place with 5 rounds remaining.
Paolo Vanoli‘s males had beforehand crashed out of the Conference League to Crystal Palace, however their essential goal since November has been staying afloat in Italy’s prime flight.
With prime scorer Moise Kean persevering with to wrestle for health, Fiorentina’s squad have been sharing the burden: together with Jack Harrison’s fantastic strike on Monday, their final eight league targets have been scored by totally different gamers.
As the Viola final misplaced a home dwelling recreation in February, the feelgood issue is slowly returning to Stadio Franchi, the place issues had turned frosty earlier this season.
After beating Lazio in Florence two weeks in the past, Fiorentina will now goal again-to-again Serie A house wins for simply the second time this time period – however their opponents are actually no pushovers.
© Imago / IMAGO / Gribaudi/ImagePhoto
Having received the reverse fixture 3-1 in early December, Sassuolo additionally sit 9 factors above Sunday’s hosts within the standings.
With a powerful 45 claimed from 33 video games to date, no promoted team has fared higher at this stage of a Serie A marketing campaign over the previous decade.
As a end result, final time period’s second-tier champions can sit comfortably in tenth place, having assured security with room to spare.
In truth, following last week’s 2-1 home victory over high-flying Como, Fabio Grosso‘s facet are nonetheless concentrating on a prime-half end.
While he has been receiving loads of plaudits – and job provides are anticipated this summer season – Grosso might be involved that his facet stay gradual starters.
Sassuolo have leaked probably the most targets throughout the first quarter-hour this season, they usually have conceded no less than as soon as earlier than the break in all of their final six outings.
Fiorentina Serie A kind:
D W D W W D
Fiorentina kind (all competitions):
D W L W W D
Sassuolo Serie A kind:
L L D W L W
Team News
© Imago / Gribaudi
While essential man Kean continues to seek for full health, each Niccolo Fortini and Tariq Lamptey are nonetheless unavailable for Fiorentina, and Marin Pongracic should serve a suspension.
Wide males Robin Gosens and Fabiano Parisi are additionally doubts, however Marco Brescianini was again within the squad on Monday and should now be prepared to begin.
Set to assist Roberto Piccoli up entrance, Leeds United loanee Harrison has chipped in with one aim and two assists throughout his final three league appearances.
Tied on eight Serie A strikes with Kean, Andrea Pinamonti is Sassuolo’s prime scorer, however ex-Fiorentina striker M’Bala Nzola changed him final week and was concerned in each targets.
Long-serving talisman Domenico Berardi should serve the second recreation of a two-match ban for combating within the tunnel towards Genoa, so Cristian Volpato may proceed on the correct flank.
First-choice goalkeeper Arijanet Muric missed out with a minor knock final weekend, however Stefano Turati ought to make method for the Kosovan shot-stopper.
While Josh Doig can return from suspension and should line up at left-again, fellow defenders Filippo Romagna, Edoardo Pieragnolo and Fali Cande are all injured.
Fiorentina doable beginning lineup:
De Gea; Dodo, Rugani, Ranieri, Balbo; Ndour, Fagioli, Mandragora; Harrison, Piccoli, Gudmundsson
Sassuolo doable beginning lineup:
Muric; Walukiewicz, Muharemovic, Idzes, Doig; Kone, Matic, Thorstvedt; Volpato, Pinamonti, Lauriente
We say: Fiorentina 2-1 Sassuolo
The incentive to seal Serie A survival will drive Fiorentina on, they usually can declare most factors on the Franchi.
Well drilled underneath Grosso, Sassuolo are harmful opponents for anybody – however they may also be susceptible on the again.
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