Fiorentina and Hellas Verona have their sights set on European qualification. On Sunday, the two sides will meet at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in a massive six-point midtable match.
La Viola are eighth in the table and five points off of the top five. Depending on which team qualifies for Europe by winning the Coppa Italia, qualification for the Europa League or Europa Conference League could fall lower in the table.
Uniti. ⚜️#ForzaViola #Fiorentina #ACFFiorentina pic.twitter.com/ngF2Y56ohC— ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) March 3, 2022
Uniti. ⚜️#ForzaViola #Fiorentina #ACFFiorentina pic.twitter.com/ngF2Y56ohC
Hellas Verona also have a shot at qualifying for the Europa League or Europa Conference League. The Gialloblu are ninth in the Serie A table. They are on a three-match unbeaten streak heading into the weekend.
The Gialloblu are seven points off of the top five as it stands. A win against Fiorentina would see Hellas Verona leapfrog the home side in the table.
Fiorentina are coming off of two straight losses. Last time in the league, Fiorentina conceded a second half stoppage-time goal to lose 2-1 to Sassuolo. They followed up the defeat with a 1-0 Coppa Italian semifinal first leg loss to Juventus.
Hellas Verona picked up 13 points from the last 18 points available in Serie A. The Gialloblu are in great form. They scored 15 goals and conceded eight times across the last six games.
Fiorentina are unbeaten in four straight Serie A games versus Hellas Verona. However, three of those four games finished as draws.
In the reverse fixture, Fiorentina came from a goal down at halftime to draw 1-1. Kevin Lasagna scored in the first half for Hellas Verona, but the goal was cancelled out by Fiorentina’s Gaetano Castrovilli.
Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano will be without midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura. The midfielder is suspended due to being sent off versus Sassuolo last weekend. Defender Alvaro Odriozola is ruled out of action due to a sprained knee.
Hellas Verona coach Igor Tudor, who has turned the club around this season, could be without four players. Midfielder Antonin Barak, defender Panagiotis Retsos, midfielder Miguel Veloso, and goalkeeper Ivor Pandur are all doubts to make the squad.
Fiorentina have been excellent at home this term posting a record of 8W-1D-3L with a +15-goal difference. Hellas Verona’s away record is 3W-5D-5L with a goal difference of –3. It is their away record that has let them down.
La Viola should make the most of home-field advantage by posting a win. It should be an entertaining match with both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals at full-time.