Fiorentina are set to host newly promoted Venezia at Stadio Franchi on Sunday, eager to secure their first win of the season after two consecutive draws. The Viola began their Serie A campaign with a draw and followed it up with a thrilling six-goal encounter in European competition. In contrast, Venezia suffered a defeat against Lazio in their return to Italy’s top flight.
Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi was instrumental in salvaging a 1-1 draw against Parma with a signature free kick. The team had to mount another comeback in their European outing on Thursday, where they faced Puskas Academy in the Europa Conference League playoffs. Despite trailing by two goals, Riccardo Sottil scored just before halftime, and further goals from Lucas Martinez Quarta and new signing Moise Kean put Fiorentina ahead. However, a late equalizer left their European ambitions uncertain.
As they prepare for a challenging trip to Hungary, Fiorentina must focus on their domestic league, aiming to avoid a winless start in their first two games for the first time since 2019. New coach Raffaele Palladino is already under pressure to deliver a victory in front of the home crowd, especially after last season’s eighth-place finish. Historical performance favours Fiorentina, as they have won their last five home matches against Venezia in Serie A, conceding only two goals.
Venezia, on the other hand, have never won their first away match in Serie A, with three draws and 11 losses. After securing promotion through the playoffs last season, they saw coach Paolo Vanoli depart for Torino, leading to the appointment of Eusebio Di Francesco. Despite a promising start against Lazio, where Magnus Andersen scored an early goal, Venezia succumbed to a 3-1 defeat.
Team News
Palladino is expected to make changes to his lineup due to a packed early-season schedule. Marin Pongracic will be unavailable after receiving a red card against Parma, while Moise Kean might start in place of Lucas Beltran. Kean, who recently ended a goal drought in European competition, could be key to Fiorentina’s attack. David de Gea, a recent addition to the squad, is likely to continue as goalkeeper, but Albert Gudmundsson may remain on the bench due to a calf injury.
Venezia’s Joel Pohjanpalo, who scored 22 goals in Serie B last season, is doubtful due to a thigh injury, potentially paving the way for Christian Gytkjaer to start. Hans Nicolussi Caviglia, newly loaned from Juventus, is not expected to feature in the starting lineup despite the absence of Gianluca Busio and Tanner Tessmann.
Expected Starting XI’s
Fiorentina: De Gea; Martinez Quarta, Ranieri, Comuzzo; Dodo, Amrabat, Mandragora, Parisi; Sottil, Colpani; Kean
Venezia: Joronen; Idzes, Svoboda, Sverko; Candela, Duncan, Andersen, Zampano; Oristanio, Ellertsson; Gytkjaer
