Fiorentina Aims to Revive Season Against Struggling Monza in Serie A Clash

MONZA, Italy — Fiorentina will look to reignite their faltering Serie A campaign on Monday night as they face bottom-placed Monza at the U-Power Stadium. The match, scheduled for 7:45 p.m. local time, comes at a critical juncture for both teams.

Fiorentina, once riding high after an eight-game winning streak, have stumbled in recent weeks, losing three of their last four league matches. Their most recent defeat, a 3-0 loss to Napoli, marked their first consecutive home losses since late 2023. Despite the slump, Fiorentina remain in contention for European qualification and will aim to capitalize on a favorable run of fixtures, starting with Monza.

Monza, on the other hand, are in dire straits. With just 10 points from 19 games, they sit at the foot of the Serie A table. The team has lost six consecutive matches across all competitions, including a 2-1 defeat to relegation rivals Parma in their last outing. History is not on their side: only two teams in the past 20 years have survived relegation after earning 10 or fewer points at the halfway stage.

The match also marks a poignant return for Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino, who began his senior coaching career at Monza. Palladino managed the Brianzoli in 70 Serie A matches, guiding them to safety in the top flight before departing for Fiorentina. “It’s always emotional to return to Monza,” Palladino said. “But our focus is on getting back to winning ways.”

Fiorentina are expected to field a strong lineup, including recent loan signing from Napoli and top scorer with 15 goals this season. Monza, meanwhile, will be without several key players due to injury and suspension, further complicating their bid to halt their slide.

Monza’s interim coach Salvatore Bocchetti, who replaced Alessandro Nesta in December, faces an uphill battle. “We know the situation is tough, but we have to keep fighting,” Bocchetti said. “Every match is an opportunity to turn things around.”

Fiorentina are heavy favorites, with statistical models giving them a 71.2% chance of victory. Monza’s chances of a win are rated at just 13.7%, with a draw at 15%. A win for Fiorentina would provide a much-needed boost in their pursuit of European football, while Monza’s survival hopes could hinge on a miraculous turnaround in the second half of the season.