AC Milan will be keen to get their season back on track when they face Fiorentina on Sunday night.
Stadio Artemio Franchi will host a thrilling clash this Sunday night as Fiorentina and AC Milan meet following vastly different European midweek results. Fiorentina managed to grind out a win over their modest UEFA Europa Conference League opponents, while AC Milan could not maintain their momentum, suffering their second consecutive defeat in the Champions League group stage.
Fiorentina, fresh from a narrow escape in Europe, were expected to cruise past their lesser-known Conference League rivals The New Saints, although the Welsh underdogs proved stubborn. It took Fiorentina over an hour to break the deadlock when Yacine Adli scored in the 65th minute, soon followed by a goal from Moise Kean to secure the win. Despite being overwhelming favourites, Fiorentina needed this confidence-boosting result, especially after a penalty shootout was required to overcome Puskas Academy in the qualifying rounds.
Domestically, Fiorentina’s form has been inconsistent since Rafaelle Palladino took over as head coach. The Viola had failed to register a single win in their first four Serie A outings before a much-needed victory over Lazio came in late September. However, last weekend’s goalless draw against rivals Empoli left Fiorentina frustrated and sitting in mid-table mediocrity.
Occupying 11th place in the standings, Fiorentina have been resilient at home, losing just one of their last 11 league matches at Stadio Artemio Franchi—ironically, that lone defeat came at the hands of Sunday’s visitors, Milan.
Milan, on the other hand, have enjoyed a strong domestic run, punctuated by a dominant 3-0 victory over Lecce last weekend, where Alvaro Morata, Theo Hernandez, and Christian Pulisic were all on the scoresheet. This victory highlighted Milan’s attacking prowess, as they sit atop Serie A’s goal charts with 14 goals in their opening six matches—an impressive tally that equals their second-best start to a season since 2000.
However, Milan’s fortunes in Europe have been far less impressive. After a promising start in Serie A, Paulo Fonseca’s side have failed to carry that momentum into the Champions League, losing both their opening matches—first to Liverpool and then to Bayer Leverkusen. Tuesday’s defeat in Germany leaves Milan with much ground to cover in the new league phase format if they aim to secure a coveted top-eight finish.
Historically, Milan have dominated their meetings with Fiorentina, winning six of their last eight Serie A encounters. This includes a 2-1 win last season, which completed the double over Fiorentina.
Given their contrasting fortunes in Europe this week, Milan will look to maintain their domestic momentum, while Fiorentina will be eager to recover from their sluggish league form and capitalize on their solid home record. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this highly-anticipated clash.
Team News & Tactics
ACF Fiorentina
Head coach Raffaele Palladino significantly rotated his squad for their midweek clash, with only Christian Kouame keeping his place in the starting XI and shifting to a central attacking role. However, Fiorentina will return to full strength for their Sunday encounter with AC Milan.
Palladino employed a 4-2-3-1 system for the Derby dell’Arno against Empoli and maintained that formation during the UEFA Europa Conference League match versus The New Saints, but it remains to be seen whether he will revert to his preferred back three against a more potent Milan attack.
Palladino is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation, with David de Gea starting in goal. The back three will consist of Lucas Martinez Quarta, Pietro Comuzzo, and Luca Ranieri, providing defensive solidity as they return from their midweek absences. On the flanks, Dodo and Robin Gosens will likely operate as wing-backs, contributing both defensively and offensively.
In central midfield, Danilo Cataldi and Edoardo Bove will hold the fort, offering protection to the backline while supporting the attack. Just behind the striker, Andrea Colpani and Albert Gudmundsson are set to feature as the creative attacking midfield duo, tasked with supplying chances for the lone forward Moise Kean, who will spearhead the attack up front.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): de Gea; Martinez Quarta, Comuzzo, Ranieri; Dodo, Cataldi, Bove, Gosens; Colpani, Gudmundsson; Kean
AC Milan
AC Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca is likely to stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation for their match against Fiorentina. In goal, Mike Maignan will take his usual spot, while the back four will consist of Emerson Royal at right-back, Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic forming the central defensive partnership, and Theo Hernandez at left-back.
In midfield, Yunus Musah and Tijjani Reijnders will likely operate as the double pivot, providing a balance between defence and attack. In the attacking third, Christian Pulisic, Alvaro Morata, and Rafael Leao will play behind the lone striker, Tammy Abraham. Rafael Leao, operating from the left wing, will aim to extend his scoring streak, while Christian Pulisic, who has been in fine form, will add creativity from the right.
Several players remain unavailable for this fixture. Marco Sportiello is sidelined with a hand injury, Ismael Bennacer is recovering from an ankle problem, and Alessandro Florenzi remains out with an ACL injury. However, the return of captain Davide Calabria after overcoming a muscular injury gives Fonseca a boost in defensive options.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Emerson, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Morata, Leao; Abraham
Key Stats
- AC Milan have won 78 of their 168 Serie A matches against Fiorentina (D44 L46); only against AS Roma have the Rossoneri recorded more victories (80) in their top-flight history.
- AC Milan have won six of their last eight Serie A matches against Fiorentina, including both meetings last season. The last time the Rossoneri collected three consecutive wins against the Viola in the top flight was between 2008 and 2011 (seven in that case).
- In the last 13 Serie A encounters at the Stadio Artemio Franchi between Fiorentina and Milan, both sides have won exactly four games each, with five draws.
- Fiorentina have drawn four of their first six Serie A matches this season (W1 L1), a pattern that has occurred only four times in their history: in 2000/01, 1980/81, and 1941/42.
- Fiorentina are unbeaten in 10 of their last 11 home league games (W5 D5), with their only defeat in that period coming against Milan last March (1-2).
Player to Watch
Rafael Leao
Rafael Leao is usually the difference maker for AC Milan, making him the player to watch in this clash against Fiorentina. Leao’s dynamic presence in the final third has been key to Milan’s attacking strategy, with his pace, dribbling, and finishing ability creating constant problems for opposition defences.
Having scored his first Milan goal against Fiorentina back in 2019, the Portuguese forward enjoys facing the Viola. He has netted in his last three Serie A matches against them and is expected to be a major threat once again. Leao’s ability to score crucial goals and assist his teammates makes him a pivotal figure for Milan as they seek to secure another vital win.
Prediction
Fiorentina 1-2 AC Milan
AC Milan’s attacking firepower, led by Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, should give them the edge in this encounter. While Fiorentina have been strong at home, Milan’s recent form and their ability to bounce back from European disappointment could see them claim a narrow win. Expect Fiorentina to make it competitive. But Milan’s quality in the final third should see them secure a 2-1 victory at Stadio Artemio Franchi.
