Two clubs in the top four of the Serie A table will do battle today in a league match between Fiorentina and AS Roma. The first-division clash scheduled for 3 p.m. ET will be held at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence and can be live streamed here free.
Though today's clash will serve as a test for two elite clubs in Italian football, it's the narrative surrounding Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Montella that has captured the attention of everyone. The former AS Roma boss jokingly conceded that he has failed to beat his old side because of an affinity that still exists between him and the Italian capital (h/t to Football Italia). "Perhaps the difference between us and Roma in the League is down to our European campaign and the absences we've suffered," Montella said in a press conference.
"Maybe their squad is slightly better than ours, but 11 versus 11, I don't see much difference," he added.
"I don't know why I have never been able to beat Roma as [Viola] Coach. Maybe it's because I love them so much!"
"But joking aside, I think only on one occasion have they deserved to beat us. In other matches, we've always left the field thinking we should have got more."
Will Fiorentina be able to get more than a point when AS Roma visit the Stadio Artemio Franchi? Tell us @SportsWN
Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Fiorentina's Juan Guillermo Cuadrado has been a stalwart midfielder when called upon this season. The 25-year-old has nine goals and six assists in domestic and European competition, but his ability to balance his offensive and defensive game has served Montello well. Cuadrado averages two tackles per match on the defensive side and two key passes per match offensively.
Fiorentina's Projected Lineup (4-3-3): Neto; Pasquai, Savic, Rodriguez, Tomovic; Aquilani, Pizarro, Valero; Cuadrado, Matri, Ilicic
AS Roma's Projected Lineup (4-3-3): Sanctis; Dodo, Castán, Tolói, Maicon; Pjanic, Rossi, Nainggolan; Fiorenzi, Totti, Gervinho
Serie A Table
| Rnk | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | +/- | Pts | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Juventus | 33 | 28 | 3 | 2 | 71 | 22 | 49 | 87 | |||
| 2 | AS Roma | 33 | 24 | 7 | 2 | 68 | 19 | 49 | 79 | |||
| 3 | Napoli | 34 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 64 | 36 | 28 | 68 | |||
| 4 | Fiorentina | 33 | 17 | 7 | 9 | 56 | 37 | 19 | 58 | |||
| 5 | Internazionale | 34 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 57 | 35 | 22 | 56 | |||
| 6 | AC Milan | 34 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 53 | 44 | 9 | 51 | |||
| 6 | Parma | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 53 | 44 | 9 | 51 | |||
| 8 | Torino | 34 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 52 | 45 | 7 | 49 | |||
| 9 | Lazio | 34 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 47 | 47 | 0 | 49 | |||
| 10 | Verona | 34 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 52 | 58 | -6 | 49 | |||
| 11 | Atalanta | 34 | 14 | 4 | 16 | 39 | 46 | -7 | 46 | |||
| 12 | Sampdoria | 34 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 41 | 51 | -10 | 41 | |||
| 13 | Genoa | 34 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 37 | 45 | -8 | 39 | |||
| 14 | Udinese | 34 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 36 | 47 | -11 | 39 | |||
| 15 | Cagliari | 34 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 33 | 46 | -13 | 36 | |||
| 16 | Chievo | 34 | 8 | 6 | 20 | 30 | 50 | -20 | 30 | |||
| 17 | Bologna | 33 | 5 | 13 | 15 | 27 | 51 | -24 | 28 | |||
| 18 | Sassuolo | 34 | 7 | 7 | 20 | 33 | 62 | -29 | 28 | |||
| 19 | Livorno | 34 | 6 | 7 | 21 | 36 | 67 | -31 | 25 | |||
| 20 | Catania | 34 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 26 | 59 | -33 | 23 |
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