Fiorentina vs. Milan: lineups and where to watch the Serie A match

This Sunday, October 6th, Fiorentina and Milan face off at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence for the 7th round of the 2024/25 Serie A season. The match is scheduled for 3:45 PM (Brasília time) and promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams aiming to consolidate their positions in the competition.

Current state of the teams

Fiorentina comes into the game after an inconsistent start to the season. Currently in 13th place with only seven points from six matches, Raffaele Palladino’s team is seeking to regain its footing. Despite a convincing victory in the Conference League last week, the Viola has struggled in the national championship, accumulating four draws and one defeat so far. The team will need to make the most of the home advantage, as it has historically performed well at the Artemio Franchi, having lost just one of the last 11 home games.

Meanwhile, Milan is experiencing a more promising moment in Serie A. The team currently holds 5th place with 11 points, the result of three wins, two draws, and one loss. However, the Rossoneri come off a recent defeat in the Champions League, where they were beaten 1-0 by Bayer Leverkusen. This setback may affect the team’s confidence, so Paulo Fonseca’s squad will need to find balance to return to winning ways.

Lineups and absences

For this match, Fiorentina will see some key returns, such as Lucas Martínez and Comuzzo, who are back from suspension. However, defender Marin Pongracic is sidelined due to injury. Coach Palladino is expected to field De Gea in goal, with a defensive line featuring Dodô, Martinez, Comuzzo, and Biraghi. Cataldi and Bove will lead the midfield, with Gosens and Gudmundsson likely playing on the wings. The attacking duo of Kean and Colpani will aim to break through Milan’s defense.

Milan, on the other hand, will line up a team that blends youth with experience. Paulo Fonseca will be without Bartesaghi, suspended, along with injured players Bennacer, Calabria, Florenzi, and Sportiello. The probable lineup includes Maignan in goal, with Emerson Royal and Theo Hernández as full-backs, while Gabbia and Pavlovic are expected to form the central defensive partnership. The midfield will be anchored by Fofana and Reijnders, with Pulisic, Morata, and Rafael Leão driving the offensive play. Tammy Abraham is set to lead the attack as the central striker.

Expectations for the match

Fiorentina has proven to be a tough team to beat at home, and this could be a crucial advantage against Milan, which is looking to maintain its position among the top teams. The Florence-based team needs a win to move away from the lower part of the table, relying on a solid defense and quick transitions to attack.

Milan, on the other hand, aims to bounce back after the Champions League loss, knowing that a victory is essential to stay close to the league leaders. Paulo Fonseca’s team boasts a potent attack, with players like Rafael Leão and Pulisic in excellent form. The expectation is for a balanced game, with both teams having chances to score, but Milan enters with a slight edge due to its more consistent performance in the tournament.

Match history

Historically, Fiorentina and Milan have faced off in many high-stakes Serie A encounters, with a longstanding rivalry between the two clubs. In their last five meetings, Milan has the upper hand, winning three times, while Fiorentina has claimed victory just once. Their most recent clash, last season, ended in a 2-1 victory for Milan after a closely fought contest.

Key factors for the game

Milan’s offensive power will be the major factor for this match. With an average of 2.33 goals per game in the last four Serie A rounds, the team has shown great attacking efficiency. Fiorentina, on the other hand, has a defense that has conceded goals in five of the six games played so far, which could be a significant issue against such a strong attack.

Another factor that might influence the outcome is the players’ physical condition. Milan has been through a tough sequence of matches, including the Champions League fixture, which could take a toll on the team’s physical performance. Fiorentina, though also having played in the Conference League, had a less demanding match, potentially placing them in better condition to sustain the full 90 minutes.

Tactical approach

Tactically, Milan is likely to adopt an offensive posture, exploiting the wings with Theo Hernández and Rafael Leão. Tammy Abraham’s presence as the target man is a major weapon for the team, which will look to capitalize on crosses and quick plays to outsmart the opposing defense.

Fiorentina, in contrast, is expected to take a more defensive approach, seeking to exploit counter-attacks and the speed of its wide players. Dodô and Biraghi, the team’s full-backs, will play key roles both in defense and in launching fast breakaway plays. Raffaele Palladino’s side will need to capitalize on set-pieces and Milan’s mistakes to secure a positive result at home.

What to expect from the game

This matchup promises to be one of the highlights of the round, with two teams pursuing different but equally important objectives. Fiorentina, despite sitting lower in the table, will look to assert its dominance at home and use its strong form at the Artemio Franchi to surprise Milan. The Rossoneri, with a skilled squad and a strong campaign so far, are aiming for three points to remain in the hunt for the top positions in the league.

Regardless of the outcome, Fiorentina vs Milan will undoubtedly be a match full of excitement, with scoring opportunities for both sides and high-intensity moments.

Probable Fiorentina lineup: De Gea, Lucas Martinez, Comuzzo, and Biraghi; Dodô, Bove, Cataldi, Gosens, Gudmundsson, and Colpani; Kean. Coach: Raffaele Palladino.

Probable Milan lineup: Maignan, Emerson Royal, Gabbia, Tomori, and Theo; Fofana, Reijnders, Pulisic, Morata, and Rafael Leão; Abraham. Coach: Paulo Fonseca.

Where to watch
The match will be broadcast on Disney+.