Fiorentina fear for Gudmundsson, Pioli weighs two Napoli options | OneFootball

Fiorentina is experiencing hours of anticipation ahead of the big match against Napoli, scheduled for Saturday evening at the Franchi. The main concern is about Albert Gudmundsson, who is dealing with an ankle issue that might jeopardize his participation.

Fiorentina, anxiety over Gudmundsson: Pioli considers two alternatives for the match against Napoli

The Icelander, brought in to provide unpredictability and quality in the final third, only did gym work with strengthening exercises yesterday. No ball sessions, but at least one encouraging sign: the injured ankle shows no swelling and doesn't require bandaging. The problem involves a strain on the anterior talofibular ligament, and the Viola staff will decide on Saturday if the forward can at least be available for the bench.

“Albert is working hard to be there,” leaks from the Viola camp, but his presence from the start remains highly doubtful.

Pioli's solutions

Meanwhile, Stefano Pioli is preparing two possible alternatives.

The first leads to Roberto Piccoli, already a starter in the last game, who could partner with Moise Kean in a 3-5-2 focused on solidity, with an entirely Italian midfield. Piccoli guarantees physical presence and hard work, although he lacks Gudmundsson's flair in tight spaces.

The second option is Jacopo Fazzini. The 2003-born former Empoli player is considered Gudmundsson's natural replacement. Pioli is testing him as an attacking midfielder, even though the youngster feels more like a mezzala. Given the abundance in midfield, the coach might advance him to the offensive line to exploit his dynamism and ability to make runs.

The strategy for Napoli

The choice will depend not only on Gudmundsson's condition but also on the approach Pioli wants to take against the Italian champions. With Gudmundsson on the field, Fiorentina can focus more on depth and vertical plays for Kean. Without him, the coach will have to rely on more straightforward and pragmatic solutions.

On Saturday, a few hours before kickoff, the final verdict will come: Franchi and the fans are waiting to know if the Viola number 10 will be there, or if Piccoli and Fazzini will take the stage.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.