Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Italiano’s decision to rotate his squad last weekend proved to be a costly one, as the Viola suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Serie A strugglers Hellas Verona. However, Italiano’s gamble paid off as Fiorentina secured a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League final for the second consecutive year. A 1-1 draw against Club Brugge on Wednesday sealed a 4-3 aggregate victory for the Italian side.
Securing a Place in European Competition
Italiano now faces the task of ensuring Fiorentina’s place in next season’s European competition. Currently, they sit one point and one place behind Napoli in the Serie A standings. With only two home games remaining, including a crucial clash against Napoli, Fiorentina will look to capitalize on their strong record at the Stadio Artemio Franchi against teams ranked tenth or worse. So far this season, they have won six, drawn three, and lost one against such opponents.
Monza’s Struggles
Fiorentina’s upcoming opponents, Monza, find themselves among the mid-table teams in Serie A with little left to play for. Despite managing to secure a 2-2 draw against top-six chasing Lazio in their last outing, Monza’s form has been inconsistent. They are currently on a six-game winless run, with three draws and three losses since the last international break in March. Their chances of ending this barren run are slim, as only one of their 11 league victories this season has come against top-half clubs.
Monza’s woes continue when they travel to face top-ten opposition, with Raffaele Palladino’s men failing to win in eight such attempts. In fact, they have failed to score in seven of those matches, managing only three draws and five losses.
Players to Watch
When Fiorentina needed a hero in their recent European clash, Lucas Beltrán stepped up and sent his team to the final with a second-half penalty. Five of Beltrán’s last seven goals have come in the second half, highlighting his ability to make an impact when it matters most.
Another player to watch is Milan Djurić, who scored twice against Lazio in Monza’s last match. Six of Djurić’s nine goals this season have been scored in the second half, showcasing his ability to find the back of the net after the break.
A Noteworthy Statistic
As we approach this round of matches, only already-relegated Salernitana have conceded more goals than Monza in the opening 15 minutes of Serie A matches this season. Monza has let in 11 goals during this period, highlighting their vulnerability in the early stages of games.
In conclusion, Fiorentina’s squad rotation may have backfired in their recent Serie A fixture, but their success in reaching the UEFA Europa Conference League final proves the effectiveness of Vincenzo Italiano’s strategy. With their sights set on securing European competition for next season, Fiorentina will look to capitalize on their home advantage against Monza. However, Monza’s struggles and poor record against top-ten opposition suggest that Fiorentina has the upper hand in this encounter. Keep an eye on Lucas Beltrán and Milan Djurić, as they have been instrumental in their respective teams’ recent successes.