Official lineups Fiorentina-Bologna, the derby of the Apennines opens the Coppa Italia quarterfinal program: scorers prediction, cautions and shooters.
Respectively in fourth and fifth place in the current Serie A standings, Fiorentina and Bologna also face each other in the Coppa Italia: in the challenge at the “Franchi” stadium, a place in the semifinals is up for grabs against the winner of the other quarter, one between Milan and Atalanta.
None of the two, in short, is planning to snub the second-largest domestic competition. Thiago Motta’s Bologna, the great surprise of this season’s first leg, which in the round of 16 against all odds eliminated the holder of the trophy, Inter, by winning it in extra time, certainly won’t. What a scare, on the other hand, for Vincenzo Italiano’s Viola: the lily-headed coach’s excessive turnover threatened to affect the eighth with Parma, which surrendered only on penalty kicks. The Emiliani had gotten off to a strong start, leading by two goals, with Fiorentina forced to come back in the final minutes. The last previous meeting between the Viola and the Rossoblù was last November: a penalty kick by Gonzalez, who is absent today due to injury, decided the well-balanced challenge.
FIORENTINA (3-4-2-1): Christensen; Milenkovic, Martinez Quarta, Ranieri; Kayode, Duncan, Maxime Lopez, Biraghi; Ikoné, Barak; Beltran.
BOLOGNA (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumì, Kristiansen; Freuler, Aebischer; Orsolini, Ferguson, Saelemaekers; Zirkzee.
Official lineups Fiorentina-Bologna, the prediction on scorers
The Achilles’ heel of this Viola so far has been the forwards. Their offensive contribution has not been sufficient, especially that of Nzola, who would seem to be already on the market. The Argentine Beltran, while not a first-choice forward, has done better than the Angolan, and against Bologna he could repay Italiano’s trust. Among Bologna’s possible scorers we cannot but count the talented Zirkzee, who in the previous season has already hurt Fiorentina, castigating them from the penalty spot.
Official formations Fiorentina-Bologna, probable cautions and shooters
Often to willingly, solving Fiorentina’s offensive woes have been the defenders: from spot kicks, the two lily-livered centerbacks, Ranieri and Milenkovic, could create problems for Bologna’s defense. Watch out also for Barak, a surprise favorite over Bonaventura. In Bologna, to trouble purple goalkeeper Christensen on at least one occasion could be Orsolini and Ferguson, the latter returning after his disqualification against Genoa. At risk of a caution is young Kayode, who will have to deal with the speed of Saelemaekers. They often resort to tactical fouls, so Maxime Lopez on one side and Aebischer on the other could also be cautioned. Among the Felsinians, Posch is also a yellow risk.
