Cagliari-Fiorentina is a match valid for the thirty-eighth day of Serie A and is played on Thursday at 8:45 p.m.: odds, predictions, live TV, streaming.
The minds of Fiorentina fans, coach and players are already on the final in Athens. In the Greek capital, a week from now, the Viola will attempt to lift what would be its first continental trophy since the 1960s. A wait that, day after day, is becoming spasmodic in the Tuscan capital.
There is a great desire to remove from memories the mocking defeat suffered a year ago in the final, also of the Conference League, with West Ham. This time contending for the cup for the liliati will be former Jovetic’s Olympiacos, who in the semifinals surprisingly eliminated the highly favored Aston Villa. Before focusing on the match that could be worth a season, however, Vincenzo Italiano’s team must secure one of the last European placings, a “parachute” in case things go wrong in Greece. Fiorentina is eighth – a position worth a pass to the next Conference League this year – and with two draws between the Cagliari match and the rematch with Atalanta it would become unreachable for both Torino and Napoli, which have one and two points less (having played one more match) than the Tuscans, respectively. The first point could come in the Sardinian away match, where the Viola will find a team that has just celebrated arithmetic salvation thanks to the success (0-2) obtained last Sunday in Reggio Emilia against Sassuolo.
Another feat signed Claudio Ranieri, who after more than 30 years has again brought the Rossoblù to safety: this will be his last bench, since just two days before the match he announced his farewell to Cagliari and to soccer.
Cagliari-Fiorentina: the latest lineup news
There are two main dilemmas for Ranieri, both in defense. It could be Obert’s turn to take the place of the disqualified Dossena, but the condition of Colombian Mina, struggling with a muscle problem, is also a concern. In the middle, the experienced Roman coach will give confidence to the young director Prati, called upon to make sure the injured Makoumbou is not missed. In front, on the other hand, it is a ballot between Shomurodov and Lapadula.
A lot of turnover for Italiano: Nzola, in goal against Napoli, is on the ballot with Belotti, while the various Gonzalez, Arthur, Biraghi and Kouamé will remain on the bench. New additions will be Parisi, Christensen, Ikoné and Castrovilli.
The prediction
Italiano will probably exaggerate with the turnover thinking about the final in Athens, but Fiorentina should not return empty-handed from the Sardinian trip, against a team that has already achieved its goal – salvation – with a day to spare and is practically on vacation. Confidence can be given to the violets in a match in which it is highly likely that both will score at least one goal on each side.
Cagliari-Fiorentina likely lineups
CAGLIARI (4-2-3-1): Radunovic; Di Pardo, Mina, Hatzidiakos, Obert; Sulemana, Prati; Nandez, Viola, Luvumbo; Lapadula.
FIORENTINA (4-2-3-1): Christensen; Kayode, Milenkovic, Ranieri, Parisi; Bonaventura, Mandragora; Ikoné, Beltran, Castrovilli; Belotti.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
