Preview: Fiorentina vs Lazio – A Look Ahead from Viola Nation | Preview

Fiorentina hosts Lazio on Sunday, 22 September 2024. The match might be performed at 10:30 AM GMT/6:30 AM EST on the Stadio Artemio Franchi in stunning Firenze. Despite a precipitation warning for Tuscany, it doesn’t appear to be the rain’s going to affect the sport instantly, though it’ll be fairly heat and humid, which might gradual issues down.

Three issues to observe for

1. Individual defensive errors. All of Fiorentina’s central defenders have delighted in particular person errors this 12 months. Whether it’s missed headers, blown marking assignments, mistimed tackles, or pointless concession of possession, there hasn’t been an look by an honest defender in Florence but. Lucas Martínez Quarta has scored targets, at the very least, however forgotten find out how to defend identical to the remainder of his cohort on the again.

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Lazio has been harmful going ahead, scoring 8 targets (t-third in Serie A) thus far and never lacking Ciro Immobile all that a lot. The Viola can’t afford handy their guests any freebies. If they do, it’ll not solely point out that the again line stays a millstone, dragging this workforce’s ceiling nicely beneath the European locations; it’ll additionally point out that Raffaele Palladino’s nonetheless unable to repair an issue that’s vexed his aspect by the opening month of the season.

2. Midfielders or forwards? Despite the end result, Fiorentina’s first half at Atalanta final week was the very best the Viola have appeared all 12 months, and Palladino deserves credit score for shifting formations from a 3-4-2-1 to a 3-5-2. The additional midfielder made all of the distinction, stopping la Dea from overrunning the center and providing extra management in possession. That could possibly be a troublesome promote this week, although, as Albert Guðmundsson is wholesome, again from his sexual assault trial, and perhaps (perhaps) prepared to start out.

The query is whether or not that’s the brand new template or if it was only a one-time gambit in opposition to a selected opponent. A midfield trio makes quite a lot of sense, on condition that the midfielders—Danilo Cataldi, Edoardo Bove, Amir Richardson, Yacine Adli—provide extra uncooked high quality than the attackers—Andrea Colpani, Riccardo Sottil, Jonathan Ikoné, Christian Kouamé—particularly if Guðmundsson isn’t out there. Palladino has demonstrated tactical flexibility up to now, so the sensible cash’s on the three-5-2 being right here to remain.

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3. First appears to be like at new gamers. Guðmundsson is clearly the principle draw for Fiorentina followers, though he’ll most likely begin from the bench. Still, we should always lastly get a take a look at the man who could possibly be the membership’s report signing by subsequent summer time. If he matches like a glove subsequent to Moise Kean, as we’re all anticipating, it’ll be a enjoyable preview of the remainder of the 12 months.

Guðmundsson isn’t the one potential debutante on this match. None apart from Gaetano Castrovilli might make his first begin for his new membership. We’ve lined the tip of his time in Florence however it’s nonetheless going to really feel very bizarre to see Tanino sporting a non-purple shirt. Lazio followers will most likely really feel equally about Cataldi, who graduated from their academy and has spent his total profession (minus some early mortgage strikes) with the Aquile.

Possible lineups

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Ted’s Memorial Blind Guess Department

Fiorentina’s struggled with Lazio over the previous 3 years, posting a W1 D1 L4 report with a -8 objective distinction, and I’d make the Viola underdogs right here, too, regardless of being at house. This protection is deeply troubling and Marco Baroni’s obtained Lazio’s assault trying stable. Even with Taty Castellanos injured, Boulaye Dia is a harmful choice up entrance and scored final week. Even although the bookies have the hosts as favorites, I've bother leaning that approach.

On the opposite hand, Fiorentina appeared frisky for the primary 45 in opposition to Atalanta and will lastly be discovering one thing with this 3-5-2. Because TMBGT forbids pessimism, I’ll name it a 2-1 to present the Viola their first win of the Palladino period, with a Kean header and a protracted-vary Bove blast for the great guys and a fairly easy Dia end after one other mind fart on the again.

Forza Viola!