Fiorentina and Inter Milan are set to resume their Serie A clash tonight at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, with the match getting underway from the 17th minute. This unusual arrangement stems from the original fixture, which was interrupted back in December due to the shocking medical incident involving Fiorentina's midfielder, Edoardo Bove. The match had to be abandoned after Bove collapsed on the pitch, leading to his emergency hospitalization and treatment which included the fitting of an internal defibrillator.
With Bove's recovery allowing him to return to health, he has been ruled out of participation due to the presence of the defibrillator, keeping him from playing at the Serie A level. This re-scheduled match, originally slated for December 1, will pick up with both teams on equal footing—having seen the scores level at 0-0 prior to the interruption.
The Inter lineup sees familiar faces, with their coach Simone Inzaghi opting for his standard 3-5-2 formation. Key starters include Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram up front, with Davide Frattesi slotting in to replace Nicolo Barella midfield. Inter is without one of their winter signings, Nicola Zalewski, as players who joined after December's kickoff are not eligible to participate.
On the other side, Fiorentina will adopt a 4-4-1-1 setup featuring David De Gea as their goalkeeper. Coach Raffaele Palladino has limited options with players like Nicolo Fagioli and Pablo Mari being absent due to eligibility issues stemming from their January signings.
The match will also bring its own set of refereeing protocols. Federico La Penna is appointed as the referee, with the assistance of Marco Scatragli and Davide Moro. The VAR duties will be handled by Francesco Meraviglia, ensuring accuracy of officiation during the match. Given both teams will meet again next week for another league encounter, tonight's game is particularly pivotal as it sets the stage for the second face-off.
Kick-off is set for 19.45 GMT, and with Inter sitting second behind Napoli, three points are imperative for them as they chase the league leaders. Fiorentina, currently sixth and undefeated over their last three matches, aims to topple the reigning champions, creating additional urgency to the encounter.
With unique circumstances surrounding tonight's fixture, the match presents another layer of intrigue and competitiveness. Fiorentina has been unbeaten recently and is eager to put pressure on Inter, who have shown strength through their attacking formation and solid defense.
Supporters will be eager to see who prevails as both teams have something significant to play for this evening. The players on the pitch will feel the weight of expectation as they look to secure valuable points and perhaps set the tone for their upcoming matches within the series.