Soccer

Fiorentina vs. Lazio: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online

The two sides meet on Sunday, both knowing that they need to keep the momentum of their last couple weeks continuing if they want to break into the European positions.

by Kirsten Schlewitz

Oct 18, 2014, 8:03 AM UTC

Paolo Bruno

Part Of

Serie A, Week 7: Roma close gap on Juventus, Inter and Napoli draw in style

see all updates

It’s rare that there’s an interesting matchup early on Serie A Sunday, but one’s finally been provided in Week 7. Neither Lazio nor Fiorentina are where they’d like to be in the table -- 8th and 9th respectively, tied on nine points -- but there’s not so much damage been done that they can’t still finish in the European places.

Plus, both sides are riding a high coming into this match. The visitors have scored seven in their last two games, and held off a Sassuolo comeback last time out to make it two wins in a row. Fiorentina, on the other hand, had absolutely no trouble seeing off Inter, scoring three goals without reply. That means they’ve gone five unbeaten; the challenge is now to prove they can keep scoring.

Key Player: Filip Djordjević

With Fiorentina’s key forwards off missing once more, the burden is on Lazio to create a show -- something Pioli was rarely able to do in his time at Bologna. Djordjevic has the chance to change all that. The new striker has played a role in two of Lazio’s three wins this season, scoring the second in the 3-2 win over Sassulo and a hat-trick in the 4-0 thumping of Udinese. No wonder the biancocelesti believe they’ve finally found a successor for Miroslav Klose.

Key Matchup: Fiorentina defense against Djordjevic

After conceding goals almost willy-nilly last season, Fiorentina have turned tail, letting in just three goals in the first six matches. Of course, they’ve barely scored any either, but it’s impressive after seeing them attempt to defend last season. But there’s no real cause for applause for the viola shutting out Sassuolo, Atalanta, or Genoa, or, to be honest, even Inter. But with Djordjevic on a bit of a tear, the Fiorentina defense may finally be given a strong test, more along the lines of their loss to Roma in the first week of the season.