Fiorentina will host Sampdoria on Thursday night at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in the Coppa Italia last 16. La Viola will enter the competition in the last 16, as they aim to reach the latter stages of the competition for the second consecutive campaign.
In 2021-22, Fiorentina reached the semifinals of the Coppa Italia where they were knocked out of the competition by eventual runners-up Juventus. Coach Vincenzo Italiano is having a good season in charge of Fiorentina.
Training hard. 👊#ForzaViola #Fiorentina #ACFFiorentina pic.twitter.com/hMuKq43iJL— ACF Fiorentina English (@ACFFiorentinaEN) January 9, 2023
Training hard. 👊#ForzaViola #Fiorentina #ACFFiorentina pic.twitter.com/hMuKq43iJL
The team is 10th in the Serie A standings and will play in the Europa Conference League playoffs with the chance to continue in the competition. Before Fiorentina restart their European campaign, they will play Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia.
Sampdoria will welcome the Coppa Italia as a break from a difficult Serie A season. Five of Samp’s last six Serie A matches ended in defeat. They were beaten at home at the weekend by Napoli 2-0 and find themselves six points from relegation safety.
The Blucerchiati entered the Coppa Italia at the start of the season with a 1-0 home win over lower-league club Reggina. Sampdoria followed up the win with a last-32 victory over Ascoli thanks to a 118th-minute goal from Francesco Caputo. The match finished 2-1 after extra time.
Fiorentina won four of their last seven games against Sampdoria ahead of Thursday’s Coppa Italia clash. The teams met in November at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris with Fiorentina winning 2-0 with goals on either side of halftime thanks to Giacomo Bonaventura and Nikola Milenkovic.
Fiorentina coach Italiano has three players receiving treatment for injuries ahead of the game. Forward Luka Jovic has a muscle injury and is a doubt to make the squad.
Forward Riccardo Sottil has a back injury and is also a doubt. Midfielder Rolando Mandragora is likely to sit out with a back injury.
Sampdoria coach Dejan Stankovic will be without striker Fabio Quagliarella due to a knee injury. Forward Manuel De Luca could sit out as well due to a meniscus injury. Tomas Rincon will be able to play despite serving a suspension for Sampdoria’s next league match.
Fiorentina picked up a 2-0 win earlier this season against Sampdoria. La Viola should continue in the Coppa Italia with a home victory over the Blucerchiati.
Sampdoria have won only three of 19 games in all competitions this season. The Blucerchiati are a poor side, and Fiorentina should post a win at full-time by a score of 2-1. Bonaventura could get on the scoresheet once more for La Viola.