Fiorentina may have put half a foot into the European knockouts, but their Serie A (SA) form has been frustrating. Their recent come-from-behind 1-1 draw at Lecce halted a two-game losing run in the league and had manager Vincenzo Italiano state that “the fruits are coming”, but with only one win across nine SA games (D4, L4), Fiorentina remain closer to the relegation zone than the top six.
Only once since 2007/08 did Fiorentina record a poorer ten-game start to a top-flight campaign than their current haul of ten points, and that grim situation was embodied in their last home league game when hammered 4-0 by Lazio. This weekend could be a test of their mental strength as Fiorentina look to revive the form that gave them an unbeaten four-game start to their home league campaign (W2, D2) before that capitulation against Lazio.
The arrival of Inter Milan won’t be a welcome sight though, with the Nerazzurri unbeaten in ten SA H2Hs (W5, D5) and looking to make up for lost time in the title race after already dropping eight points behind leaders Napoli after just ten games. Inter can’t afford to lose any more steam, but the confidence of consecutive league wins coming into this match could be a boost, although coach Simone Inzaghi warned his team that “we can’t relax” after their 2-0 win over Salernitana last weekend.
Their preceding 2-1 win at Sassuolo was arguably even more important for Inter as it stopped a three-game away losing run in the league. Inter have also won their last two away league games against Fiorentina, and now could make it just the second time in their history to win three such H2H games in a row, but they will need to post consecutive away wins for the first time this SA campaign to achieve just that.
Players to watch: Fiorentina’s Giacomo Bonaventura has netted four goals against Inter previously, and has only scored more against two other teams in his SA career. His former teammate at AC Milan but now at Inter, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, could be waiting for this game too, as he’s scored a personal-high four SA goals against Fiorentina.
Hot streak: Inter’s last nine away SA games have seen both teams score, and an entertaining average of 3.67 goals per match.
