The Viola and Partenopei may be two of Serie A’s more aesthetically pleasing sides, but recent meetings between the pair have produced for the most part low scoring affairs.
With another tasty encounter between Fiorentina and Napoli set for Sunday afternoon (15:00 CET), and with a foothold in the race for European spots on the line, could we see a bucking of the trend?
Just four of the last 11 Serie A meetings between the Viola and Partenopei have yielded scorelines that totaled more than two goals, which is below the standard rate for top clashes in Italy’s top flight.
For comparison, Fiorentina have seen eight matches with three or more goals from their last 11 meetings with Inter, while Napoli have also seen eight matches with three or more goals from their last 11 fixtures with Juventus.
It certainly seems interesting that when these two particular sides are pitted against each other that the goals run dry. Moreover, their respective recent form indicates that another calculated low-scorer is on the cards for Sunday’s showdown.
Fiorentina are riding a wave of form which is fluctuating from crests to troughs, and will have been hit hard by Tuesday’s crushing 3-0 Coppa Italia semi final defeat to Juventus.
Cup woes aside, Fiorentina have kept up a fairly consistent scoring record, and to their benefit have a number of different players chipping in offensively. In domestic ties, Fiorentina last rattled three goals past an opponent two months ago (3-1 away to Sassuolo).
Napoli have hit a rotten run of results which is threatening to derail their season. Goals are presently at a premium for the Partenopei, something that would have been unthinkable before the turn of the year.
Top goal-scorers Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon have seen their goal ratios decline considerably as the season wears on, and Napoli’s only goal in their last three Serie A matches comes courtesy of a last-gasp Duvan Zapata equaliser against Atalanta.
Statistically, both of Fiorentina and Napoli rank favourably with their intended style of play.
Fiorentina is the team with the fourth best passing accuracy (83.9%) in Serie A, with rivals Napoli coming in at fifth (82.7%). With the statistics switched to possession, the ranking is the same, with fourth-placed Fiorentina enjoying an average 57.8% share of the ball, while fifth-placed Napoli average 55.2% possession. (statistics from WhoScored)
A deciding factor in this coming match is what is at stake, with Europa League places poised very delicately between the two on Sunday, and Sampdoria.
Fiorentina would be forgiven for sitting on any lead they may obtain, which could limit the amount of visual entertainment on display as it turns into a more drawn out and considered affair.
While serious doubts linger over Rafael Benitez’s future at Napoli, he still maintains a clear passion for his current project and will not give up chasing a respectable finish for a club that has been fully welcoming to his style.
A gung-ho approach has been employed by Napoli from losing positions in the past, and its implementation could lead to chances at both ends in equal measures.
A risky approach which could pay spectacular dividends, especially with the Napoli’s searingly quick attackers who would certainly help towards an injection of goals.
Should a glorious rain of goals and action descend upon Campania before the weekend concludes, then there you have a conspicuous spark of enjoyment this fixture has been waiting years for.
If an extended pattern is produced, then the unmatched simplicity of a colossal season run-in clash should be enough to tide you over until next weekend’s Derby della Madonnina.
