“Napoli’s European Last-Chance Battle vs. Fiorentina“,Napoli’s hopes of defending their Serie A title have faded, leaving them with only one opportunity to salvage a chance at European football next season. Their fate rests on a decisive showdown against Fiorentina on Friday, where victory is imperative to keep their European dreams alive.
This time around it was Inter Milan who wrapped up the league with five games remaining, and Napoli are ninth in the standings, 41 points adrift of the leaders with a Conference League spot their only chance of European competition.
Fiorentina, two points ahead of Napoli with a game in hand, won their previous meeting 3-1 which could prove vital should the sides end the season level on points and the head-to-head record comes into play.
Napoli are without a win in their last five games, while Fiorentina have won three of their last five league matches. Fiorentina have qualified for this season’s Conference League final, where they face Greek side Olympiakos in Athens, looking to go one better than last year when they lost to West Ham United in the final.
The Viola, unbeaten in Europe this season, will look to end the league campaign on a high and take that momentum into the final.
Napoli will probably be without top scorer Victor Osimhen, a serious doubt for the trip to Florence with a muscular problem, while Fiorentina welcome back Andre Belotti who missed Monday’s win over Monza.
Atalanta will bid to overcome the disappointment of Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final loss to Juventus when they play Lecce away on Saturday. Atalanta are fifth, the last Champions League spot, with a three-point lead over AS Roma and a game in hand.
