Fiorentina return to Serie A action on Sunday evening as they host Monza at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, with both sides seeking their first league win of the season. The match carries extra intrigue as it pits new Fiorentina manager Raffaele Palladino against his former club.
La Viola enter the fixture on the back of a dramatic Conference League playoff victory over Puskas Academy. After a 3-3 draw in the first leg, Thursday’s return match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, with Fiorentina reduced to nine men following red cards to Luca Ranieri and Pietro Comuzzo. David De Gea proved the hero in the penalty shootout, making a crucial save to allow Cristiano Biraghi to convert the winning spot-kick.
That European success provides a boost for Fiorentina after a sluggish start to their Serie A campaign. They’ve drawn both league matches so far – 1-1 against Parma and 0-0 versus newly-promoted Venezia. It marks the first time in five years that La Viola have failed to win either of their opening two Serie A fixtures.
New coach Palladino is already facing pressure to improve results. The former Monza boss will be eager to get one over on his old employers and kickstart Fiorentina’s domestic season before the international break.
Monza, meanwhile, are still searching for their first victory under new manager Alessandro Nesta. The Biancorossi have struggled for goals, failing to score in their last four league matches stretching back to last season – their longest such drought since gaining promotion to Serie A in 2022.
After opening with a 0-0 draw at Empoli, Monza suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Genoa last weekend despite dominating possession. Their last Serie A win came back in mid-March, leaving Nesta desperate to end that barren run.
Historically, Monza have struggled against Fiorentina, never winning away in Serie A or Serie B. Their most recent visit to the Franchi ended in a 2-1 defeat in May when Palladino was still at the helm.
Team News
On the team news front, Fiorentina welcomed AC Milan midfielder Yacine Adli as a late transfer window addition. Captain Cristiano Biraghi is on the verge of his 50th Serie A goal involvement, while summer signing Moise Kean aims to end a 25-game league scoring drought despite netting in both legs of the Conference League playoff.
Albert Gudmundsson is doubtful with a calf issue for the hosts, but Croatian defender Marin Pongracic returns from suspension. Monza remain without goalkeeper Alessio Cragno and wing-back Patrick Ciurria through injury. Veteran striker Milan Djuric will compete with Andrea Petagna to lead the line, supported by Dany Mota and Daniel Maldini.
With both sides seeking a spark to ignite their seasons, this clash at the Franchi promises to be a tightly-contested affair. Fiorentina will hope their midweek European heroics can translate to domestic success, while Monza are desperate to rediscover their scoring touch and claim a landmark away victory.
Expected Starting XIs
Fiorentina: Terraciano; Martinez Quarta, Ranieri, Pongracic; Dodo, Richardson, Mandragora, Biraghi; Sottil, Colpani; Kean
Monza: Pizzignacco; Izzo, Mari, Caldirola; Birindelli, Bondo, Pessina, Kyriakopoulos; Maldini, Mota; Petagna
