Overview
Although Fiorentina won 2-1 against Crystal Palace in the second leg, their journey in the Conference League this season still ended with regret when they lost with a total score of 2-4 after two quarter-final matches.
After a difficult away game in London, Paolo Vanoli's team somewhat salvaged their honor when returning to the Stadio Artemio Franchi. However, the goal of the purple team at this time will be to focus all their strength on the relegation battle in Serie A.
Fiorentina's recent form shows positive signs. The minimal 1-0 victory over Lazio - with a strong mark from captain David de Gea - has helped them extend their home unbeaten streak to 5. This result creates a safer gap with the relegation group, and also helps Fiorentina take the initiative when the season is only 6 rounds away.
Notably, the Tuscany team has significantly improved their performance by almost tripling their average points in the last 9 rounds. Only Napoli and Inter Milan have won more points than them in the same period.
With two consecutive victories and a score of 1-0, Fiorentina is facing the opportunity to establish a 3-match winning streak in Serie A for the first time since February 2025. Head-to-head history also supports them when in the last five away trips to Via del Mare, this team won 3 matches, scored 13 goals and conceded only 5 times.
In the opposite direction, Lecce once surprised when defeating Fiorentina in the first leg of this season, with the only goal of Medon Berisha right at Franchi. However, Eusebio Di Francesco's team is falling into crisis when losing 4 consecutive matches, thereby being pulled back to the relegation zone.
Lecce's familiar problem continues to be revealed when the attack is ineffective. In the recent series of declines, they have only scored one goal - the worst record among teams in the top 5 European national championships this season.
In the context that the two bottom positions are almost decided, Lecce will have to compete directly with Cremonese to avoid finishing in 18th place. Pressure is increasing as Fiorentina and Cagliari both show signs of breaking through.
The 0-2 defeat to Bologna last week continued to expose Lecce's inherent weakness when they often collapse when they are led. Since the beginning of the year, Giallorossi have lost 11 out of 16 matches, and together with Cremonese, they are the team that has won the fewest points when overtaken by their opponents - only a meager point.
That makes the risk of relegation once again very clear for Lecce, in a season full of fluctuations and pressure.
Personnel situation
Fiorentina still cannot have the services of Niccolo Fortini and Tariq Lamptey, who have been absent for a long time. In attack, key striker Moise Kean is still in the process of recovering his fitness and has not reached his best condition.
Kean and versatile winger Fabiano Parisi are still open to playing. In return, Dodo will return after serving his European suspension, while midfielder Marco Brescianini has returned to training after injury and is ready to reappear.
On Lecce's side, the force situation is also not very positive as they continue to be without Medon Berisha, Francesco Camarda and Kialonda Gaspar due to injuries. Winger Riccardo Sottil is also likely not to be able to face his club due to prolonged back pain.
In addition, Togo international Sadik Fofana has just suffered a serious knee injury and may be out of action for the next few months.
Expected lineup:
Falcone, Veiga, Siebert, Gabriel, Gallo, Ramadani, Coulibaly, Pierotti, Gandelman, Banda, Stulic.
De Gea, Dodo, Pongracic, Ranieri, Gosens, Ndour, Fagioli, Mandragora, Solomon, Piccoli, Gudmundsson.
The match between Lecce and Fiorentina takes place at 1:45 am on April 21 (Vietnam time).
