Fiorentina vs Atalanta – News and Probable Lineups

After experiencing disappointment from last-minute goals last week, both Fiorentina and Atalanta BC will be eager to put an end to their winless runs when they face off at Stadio Franchi on Thursday.

Although the Viola let a potential victory slip against the defending Serie A champions, La Dea had to settle for a draw in a thrilling eight-goal encounter on their home ground.

Match overview

Even with significant investment over the summer and the addition of a new head coach, Fiorentina has actually started the season worse than they did last year, when they began to experience a prolonged crisis.

After dismissing Fabio Grosso and reinstalling former interim coach Paolo Vanoli – who managed to keep them afloat last season – there hasn’t been much improvement, with Fiorentina losing six of their first eight league matches.

The latest defeat was against Inter de Milão, although they nearly achieved a surprising result at San Siro: former AC Milan player Alex Jimenez opened the scoring with a stunning goal, and David De Gea made several crucial saves to keep Inter in check.

However, the home side equalized as stoppage time approached, and Victor Valdepenas brought down Marcus Thuram in the penalty area, allowing Piotr Zielinski to convert the penalty in the 98th minute.

Despite taking four points from his first two matches upon returning to Florence – along with a Coppa Italia win against local rivals Pisa – Vanoli has now overseen three consecutive defeats.

Situated in the relegation zone before the match at Stadio Franchi on Thursday, Fiorentina is also winless in seven Serie A home fixtures going back to the end of last season – yet they still have history on their side.

Including a 1-1 draw on the last day of the previous season, Atalanta has managed to win just twice in their last 25 top-flight visits to the Franchi, returning home empty-handed on 14 occasions.

This encounter also occurs amidst a dire spell for the Bergamo contingent, who have tumbled into the lower half of Serie A after garnering merely four points from their last six league outings.

Adjusting to the new regime under Maurizio Sarri, they have conceded 14 goals during this segment – with only the plummeting Udinese leaking more.

They conceded four goals in just 90 minutes against a resurgent Frosinone last week, resulting in a dramatic home draw.

Despite falling behind within the opening 30 seconds, La Dea led 3-2 by half-time thanks in large part to a brace from Nikola Krstovic; however, they ended up sharing the points after Frosinone equalized to make it 4-4 with just eight minutes remaining.

Now, facing Fiorentina after four consecutive away defeats – albeit against Roma, Juventus, Ajax, and Milan – Atalanta must navigate this fixture with both teams striving for points.

Team News

Fiorentina will be looking to have Luca Ranieri back from a foot issue, but his defensive teammate Marin Pongracic was substituted early at San Siro and is a significant doubt for Thursday evening.

Although Vanoli still does not have Fabiano Parisi and French midfielder Arthur Atta available, he does possess ample options for rotation.

The top goal scorer Mateo Pellegrino faces a familiar competition for selection with Beto, as the duo vie for a single attacking position.

Meanwhile, Krstovic is evidently winning his contest with Gianluca Scamacca: the Montenegrin striker for Atalanta has been involved in 18 Serie A goals this calendar year – with only Thuram and Donyell Malen having more – seven from his last three league fixtures.

Atalanta’s primary worries lie at the back, where several defenders are currently unavailable: Sead Kolasinac, Isak Hien, Odilon Kossounou, and Raoul Bellanova.

To ease Sarri’s selection woes, Giorgio Scalvini could be preparing to return, but Franck Kessie, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Giacomo Raspadori all remain doubtful.

Fiorentina probable starting XI:

de Gea; Jimenez, Dragusin, Viery, Valdepenas; Ndour, Fagioli, Oulai; Mastantuono, Njie; pellegrino

Atalanta BC probable starting XI:

Carnesecchi; Zappacosta, Kristensen, Scalvini, Bernasconi; Gaetano, Ederson; Elmas, De Ketelaere, Zalewski; Krstovic

Although both sides have faced challenges in light of difficult fixtures, Atalanta’s form might actually be more troubling – and their injury-depleted defense is becoming progressively more vulnerable with each game.

Given how Sarri’s side has struggled on the road, Fiorentina may capitalize on their near miss against Inter with a crucial midweek victory.