Hellas Verona and Fiorentina are set to clash on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 11 AM local time at the Estadio Marcantonio Bentegodi. The match marks the 26th round of the Serie A, and both teams are seeking valuable points to fortify their positions amid varying fortunes in the league.
Currently, Fiorentina, placed sixth with 42 points, finds itself competing fiercely for one of the coveted spots for next season's Champions League. With only four points separating them from the fourth-place Juventus, the pressure is on Raffaele Palladino’s side to deliver strong performances. On the other hand, Hellas Verona sits precariously at 16th, with just 23 points, mere points above Parma, the first team relegated.
Fiorentina will enter the match after suffering consecutive defeats, first against Inter Milan and then at home to Como. This string of losses has raised alarms about their consistency, prompting many to view them as the underdogs heading to Verona.
Verona’s situation is equally dire, having faced two recent losses, first at home against Atalanta and then on the road to AC Milan. This current ineffectiveness has seen them record unsatisfactory performances on their home turf, where they will be eager to claim their first victory of 2025. Verona is particularly desperate for points, having failed to secure victory at home this year.
Head Coach Paolo Zanetti plans to field his best XI, with Montipò defending the goal, flanked by Dawidowicz, Coppola, and Ghilardi at the back. The midfield will feature Bernede and Duda, supported by wide players Tchatchoua and Lazovic, with Sarr leading the attack, joined by Suslov and Kastanos.
For Palladino’s Fiorentina, expect De Gea to start at the goal with Dodò, Pongracic, Ranieri, and Parisi forming the defense. Cataldi and Mandragora will anchor the midfield, with Fagioli operating behind forwards Folorunsho and Zaniolo. Key player Moise Kean returns to the lineup after serving his suspension, which significantly bolsters their attack.
The historical record between these two teams predominantly favors Fiorentina, who has triumphed over Verona 36 times out of 73 encounters, with only 16 victories for Verona and 21 drawn matches. Notably, Fiorentina also claimed victory in their last meeting earlier this season, where they defeated Verona 3-1, with Kean scoring all three goals for the home side.
Statistics reveal some alarming trends for Verona, particularly their struggle to find the net, as they have failed to score in six of their last ten matches. Kontrasting, Fiorentina boasts the fifth-best offense this season, having netted 41 goals - complementing their statistical superiority with Kean’s personal tally of 19 goals this season, marking him as one of the league's top scorers.
With stakes high for both sides, the outcome of this match could have far-reaching consequences. Fiorentina will look to capitalize on their superior technical skill and historical advantage, hoping to build momentum to claw their way back toward the top-four finish. Meanwhile, Verona understands this match serves as not only an opportunity to secure valuable points but also to regain their confidence as they navigate these turbulent times.
The match will be broadcast live on Disney+ and promises to deliver excitement and anxiety as Verona seeks their first home win of the year against the formidable Fiorentina, who desperately needs to return to winning ways.