Sassuolo – Fiorentina

Will Fiorentina be able to secure their first victory of the season?

Stefano Pioli's dismissal did not significantly change Fiorentina's results. In four matches under the new coach Paolo Vanoli, the team has lost twice and drawn twice. The coach began his journey at the new club with a draw against Genoa. In the next round, the Florentines, quite sensationally, played a 1:1 draw with Juventus. It seemed like a good start that would return the "lilies" to the winning path, but that was not the case. The European match against AEK ended in a 0:1 defeat. In the last round of the championship, Fiorentina faced Atalanta. The Bergamasques scored a goal in each half and secured a confident home victory. Paolo Vanoli has a lot of work ahead. Sassuolo lost in the last round of the championship without much chance. The "Neroverdi" were guests in Como and felt the hospitality of the local team from the very first minutes. Thus, in the 14th minute, Duvikas scored. Fabio Grosso's players struggled to create their own chances, while the opponent's activity led to a second goal. At the beginning of the second half, Moreno scored, establishing the final score. The round before, Sassuolo drew with Pisa. The team is confidently settled in the middle of the league table. Fiorentina and Sassuolo play uncompromisingly against each other. In the last five encounters, the "lilies" celebrated three victories, while the "neroverdi" achieved two. It is worth noting the obvious statistical deviations for one of the teams. The Florentines have a significant shortfall in xPTS. Statistically, the club should have earned 7.71 points more than they have. Fiorentina also has a large deviation in the xG metric. The "lilies" should have scored 7.09 goals more than they have. Interestingly, most of this "shortage" is recorded in away matches. Sassuolo has the opposite deviations. While points and expected goals for Fabio Grosso's team are "in order", the same cannot be said for xGA. The team should have conceded 4.5 more goals than they have. It is also important to mention the "neroverdi"'s home matches. At "Citta del Tricolore," the team has three defeats, two victories, and one draw. Moreover, Sassuolo has not conceded in only one home match. It is evident that with a depleted squad, it would already be difficult for Fabio Grosso, and Berardi's injury adds even more headaches for the coach. Fiorentina remains one of the two teams without a victory in the championship. Why shouldn't the "lilies" take advantage of their opponent's problems?