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The penultimate matchday of Serie A is upon us, with plenty left to play for at both ends of the table. Despite Internazionale claiming the top prize, the race for the top four remains wide upon. Among the contenders to qualify for the Champions League are Napoli, who will be up against Fiorentina next.
In a sense, Napoli’s match against Fiorentina represents Serie A’s present versus its past. What Napoli are to the competition now, Fiorentina were a few decades ago: an exciting, talented side challenging for honours but always falling short of their target. Nevertheless, both teams have had an impact on Italian football, albeit in different eras.
Fiorentina have been a disappointment to fans, and the larger football community, over the last few years. Once remembered for fielding greats such as Batistuta and Rui Costa – and challenging for honours in Europe – the Viola have recently stumbled towards mid-table mediocrity. They came dangerously close to relegation two seasons ago and had to wait until the last few weeks to secure their top division status this time around.
Napoli are the opposite of Fiorentina. The club has enjoyed a consistent period towards the top end of the table. However, disappointment comes from the fact that the Partenopei were unable to cap their period of dominance with a title win. They came close to doing so under Maurizio Sarri in 2018 but faltered in the final stages. At present, captain Lorenzo Insigne and Co are fighting for a place in Europe’s premier competition.
That’s what is at stake from this match – European football for Napoli. Fiorentina secured their key target for the season last time around, which, sadly, was their league status for another year -such has been the fall from grace for the Viola. However, Napoli’s job isn’t done yet. Gennaro Gattuso’s side is in a top-four battle against the likes of Atalanta, AC Milan, Juventus, and Lazio. They are fourth on the table presently, but any slip-up could be very costly.
Key Players
Following in the footsteps of Gabriel Batistuta and Stevan Jovetic is young Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic. The 21-year-old showed glimpses of his talent after moving from Belgrade to Florence three years earlier. However, this season, he has truly captured the attention of fans all over the world. Vlahovic has scored 21 league goals this term – the third-most in the competition. His overall play has been magnificent too, which has certainly alerted elite clubs all over the continent.
As the young Vlahovic is leading Fiorentina away from the gloom, Franck Ribery is providing him with the platform to do so. Now 38, the Frenchman is on the other end of the age spectrum, but he continues to dazzle the fans with his game. Ribery has had a hand in seven league assists for Fiorentina this term, which is the highest in the team jointly with Cristiano Biraghi. He has also scored two league goals for the Florentine outfit.
Injuries and illness have prevented Victor Osimhen from playing a larger part in Napoli’s season, which is certainly something that the club wouldn’t be happy about given how much they paid for his services. Nevertheless, in his limited appearances, Osimhen has scored ten times in the league. However, it is his recent form that catches the eye. The Nigerian forward has scored five goals in his last five matches, including a brace against Spezia.
One of the main reasons why Napoli haven’t suffered from the absence of their main striker is Lorenzo Insigne. The Italian has led the charge for the Partenopei with 18 goals in the league. He has also had seven assists in the competition. The 29-year-old remains Napoli’s key man and will hope to lead his side in the Champions League next season.
Prediction
Given their current positions in the league, Napoli is a clear favorite. Gattuso’s side is in great form too. They are unbeaten in 13 matches in the league and have won four of their last five. Their last two wins came with a combined aggregate score of 9-2. However, their most impressive result of late – and perhaps the entire season – was a 5-2 win over Champions League qualification rivals, Lazio.
Napoli have players in form, but none so more than Dusan Vlahovic. The Fiorentina striker has been on fire lately and has taken his tally for the season to 21 goals. The Viola are unbeaten in their last five matches, despite facing Juventus and Lazio. In those five matches, their young striker has found the net six times!
If anyone can lead Fiorentina past Napoli, it’s Vlahovic. Conversely, having an entire team rely on one individual is dangerous, as it gives the opponents a set target before the match kicks off. It seems, at present, that stopping Vlahovic will stop Fiorentina. If that is the case, then Napoli shouldn’t have too much trouble getting the better of their opponents in their upcoming match.
