Overview
The last time Fiorentina faced Pisa in Serie A - also the first time the two teams have met again in the highest league since 1991 - both only won a total of 3 points and could not accelerate after that slow start.
Since the match at the end of September last year, Fiorentina has struggled for most of the time in the relegation group. The risk of relegation is still present, although coach Paolo Vanoli has brought signs of improvement since taking over the team at the beginning of the season. However, their defense is still fragile when they have only kept a clean sheet in 1/20 recent matches in Serie A.
Currently 3 points behind the safe group when the season is still 13 rounds, Fiorentina just defeated Como who are in high form, thereby repaying the debt of being eliminated from the Coppa Italia. After that, they put one foot in the 1/8 round of the Conference League with a 3-0 victory at Jagiellonia Bialystok thanks to goals from Luca Ranieri, Rolando Mandragora and Roberto Piccoli.
In cold weather conditions and with a rotating squad, The Viola won two consecutive victories for the first time this season. However, before rematching with the Polish representative, they must focus all their strength on the Tuscany derby with Pisa.
Fiorentina is directly competing with Lecce, Genoa and Cremonese to avoid the last relegation spot. Although they have only won 2/12 home matches at the Stadio Artemio Franchi this season, history is on their side. Fiorentina is unbeaten in 7 home matches in Serie A against Pisa, conceding only 3 goals.
In the opposite direction, Pisa has only won 1/15 matches against Fiorentina in Serie A - that was a 2-1 victory at home in 1987. More worryingly, they have not won any matches in the national championship since the beginning of November last year. If they continue not to win in this derby, Pisa will set a new negative record for the club and face the risk of relegation after only one season returning to Serie A.
9 points away from the safe position, Pisa's relegation campaign is taking place disappointingly. Coach Alberto Gilardino was replaced by Oscar Hiljemark earlier this month. Under the new captain, Pisa drew 0-0 with Hellas Verona and lost narrowly 1-2 to AC Milan - a match they only dropped points due to Luka Modric's late goal.
Now, they continue their journey to find their first away win in the highest league after 34 years. And nothing is sweeter if that happens right at Stadio Franchi.
Personnel situation
After Paolo Vanoli strongly rotated in Poland - making up to 8 changes compared to the squad that defeated Como - many pillars of Fiorentina are expected to return in the derby.
To prioritize the relegation race in Serie A, important players such as David De Gea, Dodo and Moise Kean are all given rest. Rolando Mandragora will play in European cups but will be absent in the next match due to suspension.
On the Pisa side, Daniel Denoon, Isak Vural and Simone Scuffet cannot participate. Goalkeeper Adrian Semper is also having physical problems, so Nicolas can continue to start. In midfield, Marius Marin is ready to reappear after serving a one-match suspension.
Expected lineup:
De Gea, Dodo, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens, Fagioli, Ndour, Harrison, Brescianini, Solomon, Kean.
Nicolas, Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Bozhinov, Toure, Loyola, Aebischer, Angori, Tramoni, Moreo, Stojilkovic.
The match between Fiorentina and Pisa takes place at 0:30 am on February 24 (Vietnam time).
