Fiorentina limps out of the worldwide break in quest of its first win, having harvested simply 2 factors from its first 3 matches. A win in opposition to visiting Como might be simply the factor to leap begin Stefano Pioli’s boys, though the Lariani have appeared fairly stable so far. The match might be performed on Sunday, 21 September 2025, at 5:00 PM GMT/1:00 PM EST, on the Stadio Artemio Franchi in lovely Firenze. The forecast requires fairly critical warmth, the type that would affect proceedings considerably.
Three issues to look at for
1. Have the forwards woken up but? Moise Kean’s off to a depressing begin to the yr, failing to seek out the again of the online in Serie A so far regardless of main the league in xG, per Opta and someway failing to attain an unmarked header together with his toes on the purpose line in opposition to Cagliari. On the plus facet, he scored 3 targets throughout 2 video games for Italy over the break and has shaken off a fever that briefly knocked him out of coaching.
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A part of the issue is that his colleagues haven’t picked up the slack in any respect. Albert Guðmundsson’s been the identical man he was final yr, failing to indicate his Genoa sparkle. Edin Džeko seems rinsed, unable to contribute exterior of sitting within the field and serving as a goal when Fiorentina’s chasing video games. Roberto Piccoli’s nonetheless determining learn how to coexist with Kean, as they play equally.
Albert Guðmundsson and Moise Kean embrace with large smiles plastered throughout their faces.
That latter pair particularly must step up. A part of the explanation the Viola shelled out a lot on forwards this summer season was to lighten the scoring burden that Kean shouldered alone final yr. Whereas the remainder of the workforce hasn’t created many probabilities, all the forwards want to indicate some indicators of life now, proper now, or this season might begin sliding down the drain. Fortuitously, Como isn’t impregnable defensively, however we have to see dramatic enchancment from all of the strikers.
2. How does the midfield react to Como’s press? Cesc Fabregas has proven off some attention-grabbing tactical chops since taking the reins in 2023. The in-possession stuff has made the headlines—slick interchanges, clear positional rules, third-man runs— however it’s he manner his facet presses that’s of larger interst. Como’s closed down much more this yr than final and has accomplished an excellent job of congesting the middle, forcing every part down the wings. That’s how Fiorentina’s performed too and it hasn’t been fairly.
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I haven’t been impressed with the Viola midfield thus far. Nicolò Fagioli, Simon Sohm, Rolando Mandragora, Hans Nicolussi Caviglia, Jacopo Fazzini, and Cher Ndour all have fascinating particular person traits Fagioli’s the one one I belief when he’s getting pressed, though Fazzini and HNC have proven flashes of press resistance too. If Como can swarm them, it received’t actually matter what Fiorentina’s forwards do as a result of they’ll by no means sniff the ball.
Hans Nicolussi Caviglia holding the ball forward of a free kick.
3. Which forwards begin? With Guðmundsson wholesome once more (for now), Pioli has to determine a form. Como isn’t Napoli however sending out simply 2 midfielders in opposition to Fabregas’ trio will permit the guests to dominate the sport, so I’d anticipate the mister to ditch the 3-4-1-2. Meaning selecting between Guðmundsson, Piccoli, and Džeko to accomplice Kean up entrance.
I’d anticipate Bobby Smalls or Albert to get the nod. If it’s the previous, Pioli may really feel extra comfy ceding the center and going lengthy extra typically, counting on his strikers’ physicality to unsettle Como’s defenders in particular person battles. If it’s the latter, a extra measured method in possession is sensible to get the Icelander on the ball between the traces, the place he theoretically thrives. The workforce sheet ought to give us a good thought of how Pioli needs to method this one.
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Attainable lineups
Fiorentina (3-5-2): de Gea; Ranieri, Pongračić, Comuzzo; Gosens, Nicolussi Caviglia, Fagioli, Sohm, Dodô; Kean, Piccoli ||| Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Valle, Kempf, Posch, Vojvoda; Caqueret, da Cunha; Rodríguez, Paz, Kühn; Morata
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The bookies have this one nearly even however with Fiorentina because the slightest of favorites. That feels cheap. Como’s turn into one thing of a media darling prior to now yr, with Fabregas and Paz garnering plaudits from all sides, however isn’t a juggernaut. The Viola, in the meantime, have disenchanted this yr however are higher than they’ve appeared, particularly now that the brand new signings have had a fortnight to dig in.
I’ll take the hosts in a 2-1 win, with targets for Kean, Robin Gosens, and Jesus Rodríguez. Como will management possession and play “higher,” no matter meaning, however I feel Fiorentina’s entrance two will trigger loads of issues in transitional conditions and that’ll be the distinction.
Forza Viola!