Despite losing both of their frontline striking options in Mario Gomez and Giuseppe Rossi, Fiorentina have continued to climb the table and now sit fourth, just four points from Napoli above them in the all-important final Champions League spot. Since Rossi was injured in the 1-0 victory over Livorno at the start of the month, Fiorentina have won in two rounds of the Coppa Italia and gone unbeaten in the league, drawing with Torino and winning against Catania.
Fiorentina vs. Genoa: Preview and TV Schedule
Despite a raft of injuries, Fiorentina remain in good form and the gap to the top three keeps coming down for them. Genoa have been inconsistent of late but still remain well in the tight mid-table battle and victory against Inter last time out will certainly have buoyed the side.
The victory over Catania was fuelled by a brace from new signing Alessandro Matri, brought in from AC Milan as cover for Rossi. Matri has endured a woeful season so far for the Rossoneri, only managing one goal in 15 appearances, but it seems the move to Florence may have revitalised him, if his debut is anything to go by. Another pressing concern for the Viola is the injury to perhaps their most influential player, Spanish midfielder Borja Valero. He went off in the midweek Coppa Italia tie with Siena and will sit out the next three weeks, which puts Fiorentina's squad depth to the test in both midfield and attack.
After last year's flirt with relegation, Genoa are looking comparatively comfortable, entrenched in a mid-table battle in tenth and a comfortable nine points above the relegation places. They have been inconsistent of late, with two wins, two losses and a draw in their last five matches however last time out they had a morale-boosting victory over wobbling Inter. The Grifone have struggled in front of goal this season, relying heavily on Alberto Gilardino who has scored eight of the sides 20 goals. More worryingly, the only other forward player who has managed a goal is Emanuele Calaiò with just a single strike.
Genoa are picking up enough points to not have to worry about relegation but recently they have slipped from seventh to tenth however they are just three points from Torino, who head up the mid-table gaggle that Genoa are a part of. In order to finish in the top half, goals are going to have to start coming from places other than Gilardino however they should finish safely in mid-table.
Fiorentina have substantial injury worries, with Mario Gomez a long-term absentee and Giuseppe Rossi now joining him on the injury list, as well as the sublime Borja Valero. Defender Nenad Tomović will also miss out and Gonzalo Rodríguez will miss out through suspension. Genoa don't have quite as many worries, Juraj Kucka and Alessandro Gamberini are both out whilst outstanding young goalkeeper Mattia Perin is a doubt but should make the team.
Fiorentina injuries and suspensions
Out: Mario Gómez, Giuseppe Rossi, Borja Valero, Nenad Tomović, Ahmed Hegazy (injured); Gonzalo Rodríguez (suspended). In doubt: Josip Iliçić, Alessandro Matri.
Genoa injuries and suspensions
Out: Alessandro Gamberini, Juraj Kucka, Mario Santana (injured). In doubt: Šime Vrsaljko, Daniele Portanova, Mattia Perin.
Projected lineups
Fiorentina: Neto, Rocaglia, Compper, Savić, Pasqual, Pizarro, Aquilani, Ambrosini, Fernández, Cuadrado, Matri
Genoa: Perin, Antonini, Marchese, De Maio, Vrsaljko, Cofie, Sturaro, Antonelli, Fetfatzidis, Gilardino, Bertolacci.
Match date/time: Sunday 26th January, 20:45 local, 14:45 E.T.
Venue: Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence
TV: Sky Calcio 1, Sky Sport 1 Italia (Italy); RAI Internazionale, beIN Sport (USA).
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