Fiorentina Vs Napoli , a must win and a must see.
Two very different styles of play take place in Florence in the Monday night game tonight. Both teams faced elimination from the Europa League on Thursday and they want to keep the good job up in the Serie A. After more than twenty years, Napoli find themselves second in the table and they know the champion dream is not impossible. Juventus is just 4 points away and with another 11 games to be played, Napoli are eligible to give it a try.
Nothing is easy in Florence and Napoli know that. They have struggled at the Artemio Franchi but they have managed to get 3 wins in their last 3 trips there. It has to be said that Napoli has had a superior lineup in the recent years but this season's Fiorentina roster has made good progress. Badelj has been the play maker they hoped he would be and his touches have made the difference in midfield.He gives a great helping hand to Borja Valero and Bernardeschi. Fiorentina have a keeping possession mentality and they hold to the ball constantly, even by passing back to the keeper sometimes. It has been very important to them not to just throw the ball in front of pressure, but keep it and building up plays in the opponents half of the field.
Napoli also loves keeping the ball and they push high with strikers and wingers to make the other teams hand the ball to their midfield. Higuain has been devastating this season, finding the net in many occasions and they have been heavy goals for the team. Napoli has many ways of getting dangerous in the area as they can either attack with Hamsik on the center field or with Callejon and Insigne on the wings. The 4-3-3 of Sarri is giving them what Benitez couldn't give to this team. The team is solid defensively as the midfield helps a lot, especially Alan whose addition was very effective. Both wing backs help a lot in attack as well and Hysaj has been superb. No wonder his outstanding performances have generated Real Madrid's interest in signing him.
Fiorentina are aiming the next season's Champions League and they will be fighting tonight as their next match will be in the Olimpico Stadium against the direct opponent, Rome.
I hope this will be a delight game for the fans as the level is high and so are the stakes.