Fiorentina have won just once in their last six Serie A matches and midtable mediocrity has set in at the Stadio Artemi Franchi. Stefano Pioli’s side sits 10th and seven points off of a European place.
They haven’t defeated Cagliari in their last two meetings and go to Sardinia in search of a remedy to their malaise. Fiorentina do have one eye on their Coppa Italia semifinal second leg match against Atalanta in just over a month’s time.
Cagliari, on the other hand, are 14th and just six points above the bottom three. The Islanders have 11 games to play and need as many points as possible to avoid relegation. Manager Rolando Maran’s team has won two of their last six games with four of those ending in losses.
Form has been difficult to find this term as Cagliari have won just six times. Five of those wins have come at home where the team have made the Stadio Sardegna a fortress.
Maran has seen his side score the fifth fewest goals in Serie A (23). Striker Leonardo Pavoletti has tallied nine of those strikes for the Islanders. While goalscoring has been an issue, Cagliari have kept out goals to stay in games. They have conceded 39 times, which is the ninth most, but it is the one thing that is keeping Cagliari from the drop.
Fiorentina have not won in their last three games. They were outscored 7-5 in that timespan. The number of goals Fiorentina have conceded in recent games is a contrast of how good they have been in defence. They have the seventh best defence having allowed just 33 strikes in 27 games.
Their attack has been equally as good scoring 42 times, which is sixth best in Serie A. The Viola’s biggest issue has been holding onto leads. Fiorentina lead Serie A in draws with 13. Pioli’s squad has managed just six losses, but it is the team’s penchant for draws that is hurting its European dreams.
The first meeting of the season between Cagliari and Fiorentina ended in a 1-1 draw. It was the seventh draw between the teams in their last 31 games in all competitions. Although their recent meetings have been low scoring, neither side has been able to keep out goals lately. Friday night’s fixture should see both sides score with over 2.5 goals tallied.
Fiorentina’s penchant for draws will continue against Cagliari as they earn their 14th of the season. Meanwhile, the draw will enable Cagliari to push further away from the relegation pack.