On the antepenultimate Serie A game of this season, AC Milan play hosts to Fiorentina on a potencial decisive match for the rossonere to secure the much-desired Champions League spot for the next season.
Once again, Milan Reports brings to you a very special pre-match analysis, with facts, numbers and an interview with a fan and social influencers from the other side of the fence.
Our guest for our “Knowing your Opponent” is Stefano Berardo, from Calcio Femminile Italiano:
1 - How do you rate Fiorentina's season so far?
“I don't think it's been a very good season, but it's also not fair to say it's been a wasted season so far. Fiorentina dropped positions on the league and failed to achieve the Coppa Italia goal, but in Europe, they have been the protagonist of exciting games. Of course, the five goals conceded against Manchester City (on the aggregate result) are bummers and have their weight, but unfortunately, they highlight the differences that there are between Italian and European women's football. But that goal against Prague in the 95th minute of the game is one for the ages.”
2 - Do you like the way the team is playing?
“I think the team lost some of last season's finesse. The previous group or players was dismembered to make way for a completely new one. It certainly takes time for a team to click, to find the right mechanisms and automatism of the game, but I think Fiorentina is getting back in the saddle, back to be the team that everyone knows.”
3 - What are the strengths of the Viola? And what do you think are the weaknesses?
“Strengths can often be weaknesses. Schroffenegger might save a penalty or make a blunder. Sabatino can miss from the penalty spot as well as score a hat-trick. If, however, I really have to say a real strength, I would say that it is the fans. This team fells their absence, they miss the full stands and the warmth of the supporters. In Florence, the fans are fond and connected to the women's team.”
4 - What do you think happened between last season's team and this one? Mr. Cincotta lost his magic?
“It is extremely hard to cope well with the social and health situation imposed due to the pandemic. Fiorentina, in my opinion, did well until the some of the players got sick. Covid affects not only one’s health, but also psychologically. Then there was the “Bonetti episode”, she wanted to leave Fiorentina, after the contract renewal until 2022, to go to Atletico Madrid. An understandable choice, but then, why did she got a contract renew in the summer?
I don't think Cincotta lost his magic. For me he remains one of the best coaches available on the women's football market. He found himself working in adverse conditions, but I think the Club believes a lot in him. I am not that much convinced that he will leave Fiorentina at the end of the season.”
5 - Who are the main players on this team? Who should AC Milan keep an eye on in this challenge?
“Surely Daniela Sabatino, whom the friends of Milan know very well. She's a unique striker. At the age of 35, she is still able to carry the team on her shoulders with her goals. I am also thinking of Katja Schroffenegger, who snatched the starting position from a veteran like Ohrstrom. Then there are Tortelli and Quinn on defense, Baldi, Zanoli. Fiorentina have a lot of players that can hurt Milan.”
Focus on Fiorentina:
Formation and Starting XI:
Talented Fiorentina’s coach Antonio Cincotta deploys his team in a traditional 4-3-3 formation, with former AC Milan striker, and skipper, Daniela Sabatino spearheading their attacking trio:
Schroffenegger; Thogersen, Tortelli, Quinn, Zanoli; Breitner, Adami, Vigilucci; Clelland, Sabatino, Baldi.
The road so far:
As Stefano mentioned, the Viola struggled after an almost complete shift of players from previous season and, obviously, after losing an outstanding, and fundamental player like Bonetti. Fiorentina ranks 5 on the league table, with 29 points, and on they have 4 losses and 2 wins on their last 6 games.
Last Serie A game:
Fiorentina managed to get past 3-1 Pink Bari last round with Zanoli and Sabatino, with a brace, on the scoresheet alongside Helmvall, for the Barese.
Head-to-head against AC Milan:
AC Milan and Fiorentina have already faced each other 6 times to date, with 2 wins for the rossonere, 1 draw and 3 wins for the Tuscans. Milan scored 7 goals and conceded 11 so far, with a -4-goal difference, their second worst so far, only behind Juventus (-5).
This year, AC Milan and Fiorentina have already faced each other twice, with a win for both. The rossonere beat past the Tuscans 0-1 thanks to a Spinelli’s header on Serie A matchday 9 while Fiorentina claimed a comeback win against Ganz’s team on the Supercoppa Italiana semifinal, with Kim and Quinn responding to Giacinti’s early goal.
A must-Win match:
After their tie against Roma, plus the Sassuolo win against Hellas Verona in last Serie A game, which saw their point advantage to the neroverde drop from 8 to 6 points, AC Milan must beat Fiorentina regardless of what happens on the Sassuolo’s match against already relegated Pink Bari.
By doing so, in case Pink Bari snatch a win or even a draw, the rossonere could mathematically secure their champions league spot for the first time on their brief history. Otherwise, AC Milan would go to next round face-off with Sassuolo needing just a draw to clinch their first ever Champions League qualification.
Giacinti's 70th appearance
Following the trend, this game also marks an impressive milestone for the AC Milan Women. Team captain and markswoman Valentina Giacinti reaches her 70th appearance as a rossonera this match. Worth mentioning that Vale did not get any playing time only on 1 match (in the 2018/2019 season against Chievo Verona on Serie A Matchday 22) to date as a AC Milan player.
Where and When:
This belter of a game will take place on Sunday, 9, at 12:30 pm CEST, at the Vismara. You can watch it on SKY, the TIMVISION app and the AC Milan Official app.
