Football Italia
·23 December 2024
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·23 December 2024
Fiorentina try to get back on track with Moise Kean and Lucas Beltran against Udinese, with special guest Edoardo Bove on the touchline.
It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 17.30 GMT.
This is a very special occasion, because for the first time since his collapse on the pitch on December 1, Fiorentina midfielder Bove will be back at the Stadio Franchi watching on from the stands.
He was hospitalised and released with an implanted defibrillator that can be removed, should he be considered ready to resume his Serie A playing career.
Meanwhile, Fiorentina saw their run of eight consecutive Serie A victories ended by a 1-0 defeat to Bologna, then on Thursday scraped a late 1-1 draw with Vitoria Guimaraes to qualify for the Conference League Round of 16.
Dodo is suspended, with Marin Pongracic injured, so Michael Kayode steps in at right-back.
Albert Gudmundsson is getting back to full fitness after injury, but it is Beltran who supports top scorer Kean.
Udinese have a long absentee list, with Jaka Bijol, Brenner, Keinan Davis, Maduka Okoye, Martin Payero, Lautaro Giannetti, Oier Zarraga and Gerard Deulofeu out of action.
They had started the season remarkably well and were top of the table at one stage, but now have only one win and a draw in their last seven rounds.
Florian Thauvin continues to pull the strings behind centre-forward Lorenzo Lucca.
Fiorentina: De Gea; Kayode, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens; Adli, Cataldi; Colpani, Beltran, Sottil; Kean
Udinese: Sava; Kristensen, Kabasele, Touré; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Zemura; Thauvin, Lucca