Sassuolo-Fiorentina is a Serie A Week 38 match played on Friday at 20:30: lineups, predictions, TV and streaming.
F Fiorentina are on the eve of a historic fixture, undoubtedly the most important in the last thirty years for the lily-livered club. Next Wednesday, in Prague, Vincenzo Italiano’s troop will have the chance to lift a European trophy for the first time in more than half a century. Florence has been thinking of nothing else for a week now, since the Viola failed in the first of their two finals, the Coppa Italia: at the Olimpico they surrendered 2-1 to Inter.
The Conference League now attracts all the attentions of Biraghi and his team-mates and in all likelihood it will end up conditioning even the last day of the championship with Sassuolo, a sort of ‘dress rehearsal’ in view of the challenge against West Ham. Winning the cup would have a twofold significance: in addition to breaking the very long title fast – Fiorentina have not won one since the 2000-01 season – the conference would guarantee access, as the top seed, to the next Europa League. Another year around the continent for the Italian team, which in the event of defeat in Prague would also remain without cups. Yes, because at the moment the Viola are only ninth in the standings, out of the race for the top seven places for months now. But if Juventus, as is probable, were to be disqualified by UEFA for the capital gains case, then even eighth place would put a European pass at stake.
The Viola are still hoping for eighth place
Fiorentina can therefore still leave the door open if things don’t go well in the Czech capital. In the race for eighth position, however, they are no longer masters of their own destiny. Ahead of them is Torino, who have the same points as the Viola but have the advantage in the direct clashes: the granata will face an Inter side already with their heads in Istanbul.
Sassuolo players
If Fiorentina want to position themselves just behind the ‘seven sisters’ they must win at home to Sassuolo and hope at the same time that Torino do not beat Simone Inzaghi’s Nerazzurri. The Emiliani, for their part, have nothing more to ask of this championship, resigned to finishing in the right-hand side of the standings. Alessio Dionisi’s team seems to have already pulled the plug a few weeks ago: the last victory dates back to a month ago, against Empoli. Since then Sassuolo have collected three defeats and two draws, only conceding less than a goal on one occasion. Last Saturday they did not go beyond a draw (2-2) against bottom-of-the-table and already relegated Sampdoria. Fiorentina, who have always lost at the Mapei Stadium in the two most recent previous matches, in the last round came back against Roma (2-1) thanks to goals by Jovic and Ikoné, both scored in the last 10 minutes.
Sassuolo-Fiorentina: the latest line-up news
The only injured players at Sassuolo are strikers Laurienté and Alvarez. Forced choices then in the offensive trident, formed by Pinamonti, Bajrami and Berardi: the neroverde captain has in Fiorentina one of his favourite victims, chastised nine times. In midfield, Harroui will take the place of the disqualified Thorstvedt. Rest for Frattesi.
Fiorentina’s starting line-up is always a rebus, all the more so six days after a European final. All available for Italiano, who should give space to Ranieri, Terzic, Duncan, Kouamé, Brekalo and Jovic.
The Prediction
Between the two who have the most motivation is certainly Fiorentina but the Viola haven’t won away from home for four days and will inevitably be affected by the upcoming final with West Ham. Much will depend on Italiano’s turnover, but the feeling is that Sassuolo may be able to at least avoid defeat in a match that promises goals. Both the Viola and the neroverdi, in fact, do not particularly shine in the non-possession phase of the ball: both should score in a match of more than two goals in total.
The probable formations of Sassuolo-Fiorentina
- SASSUOLO (4-3-3): Pegolo; Toljan, Erlic, Ruan, Rogério; Harroui, Maxime Lopez, Matheus Henrique; Berardi, Pinamonti, Bajrami.
- FIORENTINA (4-2-3-1): Terracciano; Dodò, Milenkovic, Ranieri, Terzic; Duncan, Mandragora; Kouamé, Barak, Brekalo; Jovic.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
