Now heading for another European final, Fiorentina are back in Serie A action, when they host mid-table Monza at Stadio Franchi. The sides are separated by five points in the standings, with the Viola holding an advantage over their visitors and also having one game in hand.
Booking their ticket to Athens for the Europa Conference League final, Fiorentina ensured a second shot at lifting UEFA’s newest trophy on Wednesday evening, as they edged out Club Brugge in a tense semi-final tie. With the aggregate score poised at 3-3 when the Viola were awarded a late penalty in Belgium, Lucas Beltran coolly converted his spot kick to secure a place in the decider.
Twelve months after falling at the final hurdle against West Ham United, the Tuscan club will seek redemption when meeting Olympiacos later this month, but first they return to domestic duties, having slipped behind in the race for a top-seven finish.
Fiorentina have gone unbeaten in 10 of their last 12 home league games, winning seven; their only defeats during that time were against Serie A’s top two, so the hosts will start favourites against out-of-sorts Monza.
Any hopes of a European debut have therefore dimmed, and Monza are instead targeting a first top-half finish, having claimed 11th place at the end of last season. Reversing that result in Florence may prove a tall order for Monza, as following last week’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Lazio they have drawn three of their last four matches and lost the other.
However, only relegated Salernitana and lowly Frosinone have earned fewer points than the Biancorossi’s nine against teams now inside Serie A’s top 10, so precedent suggests they may need to rely on a busy Fiorentina side taking their eye off the ball.
