The Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence is buzzing with anticipation as Fiorentina hosts AC Milan for the 20th match week of the Serie A season. It’s a clash of teams from opposite ends of the table, with Fiorentina, currently 19th and fighting for survival, welcoming a Milan side that sits comfortably in second place and is eyeing a shot at the top. The matchup, kicking off at 3 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT in the United States), has drawn attention not only for its implications in the league standings but also for the intriguing lineup decisions and recent form of both squads.
Fiorentina has endured a tough campaign so far, amassing just 13 points from 19 games, with a record of two wins, seven draws, and ten losses. Yet, there’s a glimmer of hope for the Tuscans. Under Paolo Vanoli, the team has started to claw back, collecting seven points in their last five matches—a marked improvement after a shocking start to the season. Their most recent outing, a dramatic 2-2 away draw at Lazio, showcased both their resilience and their vulnerability. Danilo Cataldi opened the scoring for Lazio, only for Robin Gosens to equalize minutes later. Albert Gudmundsson put Fiorentina ahead late, but a 95th-minute penalty from Pedro Rodriguez denied them a precious victory.
AC Milan, on the other hand, continues to look like genuine title contenders. With 39 points from 19 games, the Rossoneri are unbeaten in 17 league matches—a testament to their consistency and depth. Their midweek fixture saw them escape with a 1-1 draw against Genoa at San Siro. It was a tense affair, with Genoa’s Lorenzo Colombo scoring first and Milan only salvaging a point thanks to Rafael Leao’s dramatic 92nd-minute equalizer. The result kept Milan firmly in the hunt, and with Inter and Napoli clashing later in the evening, the door is open for Milan to leapfrog into first place with a win in Florence.
The lineups for this crucial encounter reflect both necessity and strategy. Fiorentina’s starting eleven features David De Gea in goal, with a defensive line of Dodo, Marin Pongracic, Pietro Comuzzo, and Robin Gosens. In midfield, Nicolo Fagioli, Cher Ndour, and Rolando Mandragora look to control the tempo, while the attack is led by Albert Gudmundsson, Moise Kean, and Fabiano Parisi. The return of Moise Kean to the starting lineup is significant; he missed the last two matches dealing with a personal matter, but his presence alongside Gudmundsson could spark much-needed creativity and finishing up front.
There’s also a new face on the Fiorentina bench: Marco Brescianini, freshly arrived from Atalanta, is available for the first time since his transfer. Manor Solomon, a January signing from Tottenham Hotspur, is again on the bench, while Edin Dzeko and Tariq Lamptey remain sidelined with injuries. The squad is also adjusting to the recent departure of Pablo Mari, who left to join Al-Hilal just last night.
For Milan, coach Massimiliano Allegri has opted for some rotation, mindful of a congested fixture list that sees the Rossoneri return to action next Thursday against Como. With Fikayo Tomori suspended and Santiago Gimenez out long-term after ankle surgery, Allegri hands a first full start to January signing Niclas Fullkrug, who arrived from West Ham United. Fullkrug had previously appeared as a substitute in the 1-0 win at Cagliari and the 1-1 draw with Genoa, but this marks his first opportunity to lead the line from the opening whistle.
Christian Pulisic joins Fullkrug up front, with Rafael Leao and Luka Modric both starting on the bench due to fitness concerns. Adrien Rabiot and Christopher Nkunku are also not at 100 percent and remain among the substitutes. The midfield is anchored by Ardon Jashari and Samuele Ricci, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alexis Saelemaekers provide width and energy. Pervis Estupiñan rounds out the midfield quintet. The defensive trio of Strahinja Pavlovic, Koni De Winter, and Matteo Gabbia will shield goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Allegri’s decision to rest some of his stars is a calculated risk, but it speaks to the depth and ambition of this Milan side. "We have a demanding schedule and must keep everyone fresh," Allegri remarked before the match, according to Italian media outlets. The chance to leap to the top of the table, even temporarily, is a tantalizing prospect, especially with rivals Inter and Napoli facing off later in the day.
Fiorentina’s coach Paolo Vanoli knows the stakes are high for his team. Despite languishing in the relegation zone, there’s a sense that the tide might be turning. The club has finally notched its first two wins of the season in recent weeks and, as Vanoli noted, "We are starting to show our true character. Every point is crucial now." The inclusion of Manor Solomon, possibly for his first Serie A start, and the availability of Brescianini could add new dimensions to Fiorentina’s midfield and attack as the season enters a critical phase.
The match will be widely available for fans around the globe. In the United States, viewers can catch the action on Fox Deportes, DAZN USA, Paramount+ US, CBS Sports Golazo, FOX Sports, and fuboTV. Italian audiences can tune in via Sky Italia and DAZN. In the UK and Ireland, DAZN will provide live coverage, while Football Italia is running a liveblog for minute-by-minute updates.
With both teams coming off draws in their previous matches, the pressure is on to secure all three points. For Milan, it’s about keeping the pressure on Inter and maintaining their unbeaten run. For Fiorentina, every match is a chance to claw back from the brink and prove they belong in Italy’s top flight. The return of Moise Kean, the debut of Fullkrug for Milan, and the possible first Serie A start for Solomon all add layers of intrigue to a fixture that rarely disappoints.
As the teams prepare to take the field, all eyes are on the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Will Milan’s new-look attack deliver the goods against a Fiorentina side desperate for points? Or can the home team defy the odds and continue their recent resurgence? The answers will unfold over ninety intense minutes in Florence, with the Serie A landscape potentially shifting by the final whistle.
Whatever the outcome, this is a match that promises drama, storylines, and no shortage of passion. The action is just getting started, and both sets of fans will be hoping their side seizes the moment.
