Gudmundsson Returns to the Starting Lineup, Djuric Out

He had collected 70 appearances on the Monza bench in Serie A, including the club’s first-ever historic win in the top flight—1-0 on September 18, 2022, against Juventus—which also marked his debut as a Serie A manager.

The two teams have faced each other seven times across Serie A and Serie B, with Monza winning only once: a 3-2 victory at the U-Power Stadium on April 23, 2023, in Serie A. The rest of the record includes three draws and three losses. Fiorentina, meanwhile, has won each of their last seven matches against teams that began the day at the bottom of the Serie A table, scoring 22 goals in that span (an average of 3.1 per game) and not conceding a single goal in the last five of those matches.

Fiorentina started the match better and earned a penalty in the 17th minute through Sottil—but the penalty was initially awarded and then overturned. Monza improved after the 30th minute and took the lead through Ciurria. In the second half, Fiorentina again looked sharper, but Maldini made it 2-0 in the 63rd minute. The visitors reacted and pulled one back with a penalty converted by Beltrán. Fiorentina pushed forward, Monza defended, and ultimately held on for three valuable points.

In the next Serie A round, Monza will face Bologna away, while Fiorentina will host Torino.

Here are the lineups chosen by Bocchetti and Palladino:

Monza (3-4-2-1): Turati; Izzo, Marí, Carboni; Birindelli, Bondo, Akpa Akpro, Pedro Pereira; Ciurria, Caprari; Maldini.
Coach: Bocchetti.

Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Dodò, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens; Adli, Richardson; Colpani, Gudmundsson, Sottil; Kean.
Coach: Palladino.