Fiorentina come into this match fresh off the back of a morale-boosting 1-1 draw away to Juventus in the Europa League, a satisfactory result after losing the same fixture 1-0 in the league last weekend.
Fiorentina vs. Chievo Verona: Preview and TV Schedule
After a recent rough patch in the league, a midweek draw away to Juventus in the Europa League should have lifted spirits in Florence whilst Chievo are still looking precariously downwards near the bottom of the table.
Gabriele Maltinti
La Viola have stumbled seemingly at the most crucial point; they have failed to win in four league fixtures and have dropped away from the Champions League places, now ten points behind Napoli in third. Although they have held on to fourth, they are just a point ahead of a rejuvenated Inter and two ahead of in-form Parma. Two positives did arrive this week for Fiorentina, in that Mario Gómez made a welcome return to the scoresheet in the midweek Europa League tie and news filtered through that Giuseppe Rossi's recovery from his knee injury is currently ahead of schedule. Rossi in particular will be a welcome addition when healthy since the Italian international was so influential in the first half of the season.
Chievo have been struggling right from the first weekend of the season. Although they only registered one victory in the first 12 games of the season, they have gradually hauled themselves up and out of the relegation places. They now sit three points clear of Livorno in 18th, but they have a tough run-in upcoming. In addition to facing Fiorentina they have still got to play Roma, Milan, Hellas and Inter and also face six-pointers against three of the four sides below them. Playing Fiorentina in the midst of their current lean patch is definitely the right time for the Veronese, however they should be wary of Gómez's return to the scoresheet.
Fiorentina are still without their best attacker in Giuseppe Rossi and their best midfielder, Borja Valero, is still suspended. Long-term injury Leandro Paredes is out for Chievo alongside the suspended Michele Canini.
Fiorentina injuries and suspensions
Out: Giuseppe Rossi, Ahmed Hegazy (injured); Borja Valero (suspended). In doubt: Matías Fernández, Joaquín, Ante Rebić.
Chievo Verona injuries and suspensions
Out: Leandro Paredes (injured); Michele Canini (suspended). In doubt: Roberto Guana, Cyril Théréau, Boukary Dramé.
Projected lineups
Fiorentina: Neto, Tomović, Rodriguez, Savić, Pasqual, Aquilani, PIzarro, Ambrosini, Vargas, Matri, Gómez
Chievo: Agazzi, Frey, Bernardini, Aldrovandi, Rubin, Guana, Rigoni, Guarente, Hetemaj, Stoian, Paloschi
Match date/time: Sunday 15 March 2014, 20:45 local, 14:45 E.T.
Venue: Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence
TV: Sky Calcio 2 (Italy); beIN Sport Play (USA).
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