Tuscan rivals Fiorentina and Pisa will do battle for the second time this season, because the golf equipment conflict in a relegation six-pointer on Monday night.
Ahead of a high-stakes derby at Stadio Franchi, the Viola are desperately preventing for Serie A survival, whereas their outdated foes already look doomed.
Match preview
When Fiorentina final met Pisa – for the golf equipment’ first top-flight contest since 1991 – the pair had accrued simply three factors between them, and neither has actually recovered from such a sluggish begin.
Since that assembly in late September, the Viola have spent many of the following months inside Serie A’s drop zone, and relegation stays a critical prospect.
Paolo Vanoli has overseen an enchancment since his arrival earlier this season, however his crew stay fragile, having stored only a single clear sheet of their final 20 league matches.
Sitting three factors adrift of security with 13 video games remaining, they did beat high-flying Como final week, gaining swift revenge for being dumped out of the Coppa Italia.
Then, they put one foot into the Conference League’s final 16 with a powerful 3-0 playoff win away to Jagiellonia Bialystok, as second-half strikes from Luca Ranieri, Rolando Mandragora and Roberto Piccoli wrapped up victory in Thursday’s first leg.
In freezing situations, and with a much-changed crew, the Viola lastly posted consecutive wins for the primary time this season.
Ahead of internet hosting the Polish champions for the return leg, Vanoli’s facet should pay full consideration to a Monday evening Tuscan derby, which is certain to be fiercely contested.
Locked in a battle with Lecce, Genoa, Torino and Cremonese to keep away from the ultimate relegation spot, Fiorentina could have claimed simply two wins from 12 league video games on the Franchi thus far, however historical past can be firmly on their facet.
Dating again a number of many years, the Florence membership are undefeated in seven Serie A house matches towards Pisa, solely conceding three targets.
© Imago
Following a 0-0 draw within the reverse fixture, Pisa have gained simply one in all 15 top-flight conferences with Fiorentina – a 2-1 dwelling victory again in 1987.
More pertinently, the Nerazzurri haven’t gained any of 14 league fixtures since posting their lone success of the season in early November.
So, defeat or a draw on this derby would see them set a brand new destructive membership report, whereas certainly condemning them to relegation after only one yr again in Serie A.
Nine factors from security, Pisa’s comeback marketing campaign has proved a disappointment, and Alberto Gilardino was changed by new coach Oscar Hiljemark earlier this month.
So far, the latter has overseen a grim goalless draw with Hellas Verona and final week’s spirited 2-1 defeat to AC Milan, during which they had been solely denied one level by a late Luka Modric strike.
Now, the Nerazzurri will resume their seek for a primary top-tier away win in 34 years, and Pisa followers would like to see that quest accomplished at Stadio Franchi.
Fiorentina Serie A type:
D W L L D W
Fiorentina type (all competitions):
L L L D W W
Pisa Serie A type:
D D L L D L
Team News
© Iconsport / LaPresse
After Vanoli rotated his assets in Poland, making eight modifications to the crew that beat Como, a number of common starters ought to return.
Prioritising top-flight survival, key males together with David de Gea, Dodo and Moise Kean had been all left at dwelling; Mandragora performed, however he should serve a suspension on Monday.
Kean is Fiorentina’s foremost marksman with seven Serie A targets, having scored in each of his final two league appearances; the Italy striker’s output could also be down in comparison with final season, however solely Capocannoniere chief Lautaro Martinez has tried extra pictures from contained in the field.
Due to an ankle damage, Albert Gudmundsson may be part of long-term absentee Tariq Lamptey on the sidelines, whereas Pisa can be with out Daniel Denoon, Isak Vural and Simone Scuffet.
The latter’s fellow goalkeeper Adrian Semper can be a doubt, so third-choice stopper Nicolas could proceed to deputise, however central midfielder Marius Marin is now accessible after serving a one-match ban.
Set to function alongside five-goal high scorer Stefano Moreo within the guests’ assault, Matteo Tramoni has notched three purpose involvements throughout his final three away video games.
Fiorentina attainable beginning lineup:
De Gea; Dodo, Pongracic, Ranieri, Parisi; Fagioli, Ndour; Harrison, Brescianini, Solomon; Kean
Pisa attainable beginning lineup:
Nicolas; Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Bozhinov; Toure, Loyola, Aebischer, Angori; Tramoni, Moreo; Stojilkovic
We say: Fiorentina 2-1 Pisa
Fiorentina wish to keep away from one other assembly with Pisa in Serie B subsequent season, and so they can enhance their survival probabilities by extending the Nerazzurri’s away woes.
Both groups have dropped loads of factors from main positions, however Pisa are but to win on the street and have conceded essentially the most away targets all through Serie A, so the Viola ought to prolong their revival.
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