Connall Shaw analyses the reasons behind La Viola’s recent slump in form and questions if they can recover in time for their clash against Juventus on December 13
Fiorentina need to wake up and they need to do so fast. The Viola’s 1-1 stalemate away to Sassuolo on Monday evening was their third draw in the space of a week, and after having gone the entire season without tying a single game, it is clear that something has gone wrong.
The drop in form could perhaps be put down to an element of arrogance, having played against three relatively smaller teams, or maybe it’s just the curse of the international break. Whatever the cause, it has made Paulo Sousa’s men sluggish and a shadow of their former selves ever since domestic play resumed.
Against the Neroverdi, Fiorentina just seemed to give up despite having gone ahead with an early goal, courtesy of Borja Valero.
Josip Ilicic had a chance to kill off the game early on, although he ultimately squandered his chance and with Giuseppe Rossi unable to get his head in the game, all attacking threat quickly dried up.
In addition to a poor attacking display, the midfield and defence had a torrid time as they failed to deal with any pressure whatsoever for which they eventually paid the price with a Sergio Floccari goal. Had it not been for the valiant efforts of Valero and Federico Bernardeschi, then the team may as well have not turned up at all.
The performance was in many ways reminiscent to the opening 45 minutes played against Empoli exactly a week beforehand, in which the entire team turned into a group of spectators as they fell 2-0 down to their Tuscan neighbours.
Of course the home side must be given credit for a brave performance, however it must be noted that they only grew into the game once Fiorentina had let their guard down.
Hopefully, the team will now look back on the match and realise that they can no longer allow themselves to relax and be put on the back foot, no matter who the opponent is. Every game needs to be approached with the same amount of confidence, otherwise they’re just going to find themselves continuously giving up mid-way through future matches.
Fiorentina’s upcoming game against fierce rivals Juventus couldn’t come at a worse time either. With the team currently stuck in a slump, there is only one league game remaining to recapture their previous form before the big clash.
If they want to stand within any chance of taking a positive result from the Bianconeri in two weeks time then they’re going to have to snap out of their slumber against a revitalised Udinese side.
Nothing less then an improved performance and a convincing win will be acceptable on Sunday afternoon.
