As Serie A action resumes this weekend, Fiorentina welcomes AC Milan to the Stadio Artemio Franchi for a highly anticipated Sunday night clash. Both teams enter the match with contrasting European results but share ambitions to climb the Serie A table.
Fiorentina comes into this fixture after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over The New Saints in the UEFA Europa Conference League. However, their league form has been inconsistent under new manager Raffaele Palladino, with just one win in their opening six Serie A matches. The Viola currently sit 11th in the table, averaging just over a point per game.
AC Milan, despite improved domestic form, suffered their second consecutive Champions League defeat midweek against Bayer Leverkusen. In Serie A, however, the Rossoneri are unbeaten in four matches and sit third in the table following a convincing 3-0 win over Lecce last weekend.
Milan has had the upper hand in recent meetings, winning six of their last eight Serie A encounters with Fiorentina, including a league double last season. Their last visit to Florence in March resulted in a 2-1 victory.
For Fiorentina, Moise Kean will be looking to build on his midweek goal against TNS. The Italian striker’s form could be crucial for the Viola’s attacking threat.
Milan’s Rafael Leao has an impressive record against Fiorentina, scoring in his last three league matches against them. Additionally, Christian Pulisic, nominated for September’s Serie A Player of the Month, has scored in each of his last three league appearances.
Palladino has experimented with formations recently, switching to a 4-2-3-1 in their last two matches. It remains to be seen whether he’ll revert to a back three to counter Milan’s attacking threat.
Paulo Fonseca’s Milan side has been prolific in attack, scoring 14 goals in their first six Serie A matches – their second-best tally at this stage since 2000. However, defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern for the Rossoneri.
Team News
Fiorentina welcomes back defensive trio Luca Ranieri, Pietro Comuzzo, and Lucas Martinez Quarta from UEFA suspensions, but Croatian center-back Marin Pongracic remains sidelined with a thigh injury.
Milan has a few injury concerns with Marco Sportiello, Ismael Bennacer, and Alessandro Florenzi all unavailable. However, captain Davide Calabria has recovered from a muscular injury and is back in contention.
Expected Starting XIs
Fiorentina: (3-4-2-1) De Gea; Martinez Quarta, Comuzzo, Ranieri; Dodo, Cataldi, Bove, Gosens; Colpani, Gudmundsson; Kean
Milan: (4-2-3-1) Maignan; Emerson, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Morata, Leao; Abraham
Match Prediction
Given Fiorentina’s strong home record (losing only one of their last 11 league games in Florence) and Milan’s defensive issues, a closely contested match is expected. While Milan’s attack is in form, Fiorentina’s home advantage could prove crucial.
Prediction: Fiorentina 1-1 AC Milan
