Fiorentina vs Inter Milan – News and Probable Lineups

As Serie A leaders, Inter de Milão are looking to make significant progress towards winning the Scudetto with their visit to struggling Fiorentina on Sunday.

Heading to Stadio Franchi, Inter is currently facing a concerning spell in their performances, yet they remain favorites to secure the Italian title.

Match overview

Despite falling to defeat in the recent Derby della Madonnina, Inter has maintained a comfortable lead over arch-rivals AC Milan, particularly as the Rossoneri stumbled against Lazio shortly after.

However, Cristian Chivu might be worried about his squad’s recent dip in form since their thrilling win over Juventus in the Derby d’Italia.

Consecutive losses to Bodo/Glimt saw them exit the Champions League, followed by a win against Genoa, and a loss to Milan, with Inter’s side conceding an equalizer last weekend.

Following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Atalanta from Lombardy, they risk a stretch of three league matches without a win—something that hasn’t happened in a single season since April 2023.

Even so, they are still eyeing a rare domestic double, with their Coppa Italia semi-final matchup against Como scheduled for next month.

Before international fixtures begin, the Nerazzurri take on one of their favored adversaries, having recorded 10 wins and just two losses in their last 17 league encounters with Fiorentina.

While they did endure a difficult run that includes a 3-0 defeat away in October, Fiorentina remarkably triumphed in their latest encounter at Stadio Franchi by the same scoreline, after failing to win any of the previous seven matches.

The Tuscan outfit enters this match fresh off a victory in their 50th Conference League game—the most by any team since the tournament started—having reached this year’s quarter-finals as two-time runners-up.

Holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, Paolo Vanoli’s team replicated that score on Thursday night, eliminating Rakow Czestochowa to advance to a quarter-final match against Crystal Palace.

As Rakow attempted to force extra time by pushing their goalkeeper forward for a late corner, substitute defender Marin Pongracic produced a stunning goal from his own half, marking a memorable evening for the Viola in Poland.

Though they enjoy a deep run in UEFA’s third-tier competition, Fiorentina continues to face the struggle for survival in Serie A.

Following a 4-1 win over fellow relegation candidates Cremonese on Monday, they have now put four points between themselves and the relegation zone, with Dodo impressively ending his lengthy goal drought and Albert Gudmundsson finishing off a beautiful team move with a precise shot into the top corner.

Gradually moving away from trouble, 19 points collected from 12 matches this year would place them seventh in the 2026 table, having lost just once in their last seven home fixtures.

Team News

While Alessandro Bastoni and Hakan Calhanoglu are both expected to return, Inter’s injury concerns are still highlighted by the absence of captain Lautaro Martinez, who is currently the leading scorer in Serie A with 14 league goals.

Inter has claimed victory in 77% of their matches this year when ‘El Toro’ has participated; however, their success rate dips by 44% when he is not on the pitch, averaging 1.4 goals fewer per game.

With Martinez sidelined, Chivu will opt for two among reported Arsenal target Françasco Pio Esposito—who scored the opener against Atalanta—Marcus Thuram, and Ange-Yoan Bonny.

On the other hand, Moise Kean might spearhead the Fiorentina attack, having recovered from a persistent shin issue to feature against Rakow on Thursday.

Seven of the Italy international’s eight Serie A goals this season have been scored at Stadio Franchi, where he averages a goal every 116 minutes since the beginning of last season.

Roberto Piccoli, who has recently found form, will challenge Kean for a spot, while regular starters like Pongracic, Gudmundsson, David de Gea, and former Inter player Robin Gosens are expected to return to the starting XI.

Luca Lezzerini, Nicolo Fortini, and Manor Solomon remain sidelined, alongside long-term absentee Tariq Lamptey.

Fiorentina possible starting lineup:

De Gea; Dodo, Pongracic, Ranieri, Gosens; Mandragora, Beans; Parisi, Brescianini, Gudmundsson; Kean

Inter Milan probable starting XI:

Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito

In spite of navigating contrasting seasons, Serie A’s struggling Fiorentina is currently exhibiting better form than league leaders Inter.

This might give them a glimmer of hope for a rare win in this matchup, yet the Nerazzurri have enjoyed a full week of rest and should be well-prepared to regain their momentum.