19 November 2021, 13:12 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The Serie A TIM fixture, ACF Fiorentina vs. AC Milan kicks off at 20:45 (GMT+1) on Saturday, November 20, at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Preview Fiorentina Serie A, Nov 20, 2021
Preview Ten-men Fiorentina picked up a 1-0 defeat to Juventus just before the international break at the Allianz Stadium. The Purples had held on to the stalemate until Cuadrado (90'+1) broke the deadlock in stoppage time to condemn the Lilies to their third defeat in five Serie A games: LWLWL. However, Fiorentina remained in 7th place, despite failing to pick up a point. Being the only team without a draw in Serie A, the club is left with 18 points after 6W, 0D, & 6L, ahead of this fixture against AC Milan. At the end of Pioli's return to the Stadio Artemio Franchi, Vincenzo Italiano hopes to leave the Milan boss with a bitter taste in his mouth. Italiano's side has won both of their last two Serie A home games and are on the verge of a third win on Matchday 13. The last time the Purples collected more consecutive home wins in a single top-flight season was in September 2018, under Milan’s Stefano Pioli. Italiano could turn to his side’s character or towards individual brilliance from the likes of Dušan Vlahovic, who incidentally appears to be on Milan’s radar. The 21-year-old has eight goals and one assist this season. - A 56% goal participation in Fiorentina’s haul of 16. Vlahovic is expected at the center of Fiorentina’s 4—3—3 formation against Milan. Nikola Milenkovic is suspended for this game after the red card against Juventus.
Preview Milan Serie A, Nov 20, 2021
Preview AC Milan picked up a 1-1 draw in the Derby della Madonnina right before the break. Hakan Calhanoglu (11' P.) put Inter in front before an own goal from De Vrij (17' O.G.) restored parity at San Siro. Milan remains in 2nd place, having equal points, 32, with first-placed Napoli after 10W, 2D, & 0L. Unbeaten over the course of the current season, Milan have picked up 13 points in the last five Serie A games out of a possible 15: WWWWD. A healthy ratio of 2.17 goals scored every 90 minutes leaves Milan with 26 goals after 12 Serie A games. In addition, the Rossoneri have conceded 11 goals (0.92 goals per 90) so far this season and have a G.D. of +15. A victory on Saturday would see Milan become the second team in Serie A history to win 16 away games in a single calendar year [behind Napoli's 18 in 2017]. Stefano Pioli managed 69 Serie A games during his spell at Fiorentina, picking up 24 wins, 24 draws, and 21 defeats for the Lilies. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Zlatan in attack is expected from Pioli for this fixture against his former side. Davide Calabria (calf), Samu Castillejo (hamstring), and Fodé Ballo (muscle) are all ruled out of this fixture.