Coppa Italia final preview: Fiorentina vs Napoli

May 2, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Napoli vs FiorentinaHaving failed to meet their pre-season objectives in Serie A, Fiorentina and Napoli are looking to save this season by winning the Coppa Italia trophy.

And with the two evenly matched sides set to square off at Stadio Olimpico, we do expect to see a cracking game of football.

After narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification last term, Fiorentina were hoping to achieve a top 3 finish this time out.

And despite some under-par performances, Viola would have probably succeeded had it not been for the amazing AS Roma, who surprised everyone to climb to the second place in the standings.

With three games to go, Fiorentina sit eight points behind third-placed Napoli, meaning Viola won’t be able to catch the Azzurri in the league standings, but they will attempt to prove their worth in the Coppa Italia final.

However, with some very important players missing the clash at Stadio Olimpico, it is hardly surprising Vincenzo Montella’s side are 3.30 (23/10) to win in regular time.

Juan Guillermo Cuadrado misses out through suspension, while Giuseppe Rossi could play a part after recovering from a knee problem.

Mario Gomez is definitely out, but the good news is Borja Valero and Gonzalo Rodriguez have resumed full training.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Neto – Tomovic, Rodriguez, Savic, Pasqual – Aquilani, Pizarro, Valero – Joaquin, Matos, Ilicic.

Unlike their next opponents, Napoli have all but secured another Champions League qualification, but their entire season did not go according to plan.

The Azzurri were hoping to reach the final stages of Europe’s elite competition, only to crash out in the group stages, while their title bid in Serie A was hugely unsuccessful.

Coppa Italia title though would justify some of the money invested into the squad over the summer and suggest that the club are on the right track.

And this is definitely the right time to be facing Fiorentina as they are without two top scorers and another important attacker, so Napoli look a good bet to lift the trophy at 1.65 (13/20).

The Azzurri have failed to win their last three games outside Stadio San Paolo, but they remain the favourites to win this tie.

Gonzalo Higuain is expected to start after recovering from an ankle problem, while Christian Maggio is also available for selection.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Reina – Henrique, Albiol, Fernandez, Ghoulam – Inler, Jorginho – Callejon, Hamsik, Mertens – Higuain.

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