Two Premier League sides have reportedly sent scouts to watch Manchester United’s on-loan Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat with a view to making an investment this summer according to updates on Sunday morning.

Amrabat to stay in England?

Two London sides in Crystal Palace and Fulham have sent members of their team to watch the Morocco international in recent weeks according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, reporting from sources in the UK.

It has been an underwhelming maiden campaign in the Premier League for Amrabat, who introduced himself on the global stage with a run to the World Cup semi-final with Morocco in Qatar in 2022.

He has picked up 20 top flight appearances in the UK, but only nine of those have come as a starter, and several of those were out-of-position at left-back.

United picked Amrabat up on loan with an option to buy, eventually costing them a reported €10m for the season, with a possibility to pay €20m plus an extra €5m in bonuses to secure his services permanently. United will not activate their buy option.

The 27-year-old has little over a year remaining on his contract with Fiorentina, but it is understood that his time in Tuscany has likely already come to an end. La Viola will almost certainly look to move him on in the summer according to recent updates.

La Gazzetta feel that remaining in England is a strong possibility, and that a move ot the capital, to either Crystal Palace or Fulham, could be on the cards.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Inter, celebration and chaos

At San Siro against Lazio to celebrate the Scudetto

Zhang accuses the fund Oaktree: ‘They put the future of the club at risk’

But the owners could hand it over

Toro for the Cups

Milan flattened, now Europe is closer

Atalanta in the Champions League

Motta, the final clash against Juve

Allegri in court?

Tomorrow against Bologna

Il Corriere dello Sport

Zhang’s surrender

On Tuesday the deadline for the 375m loan: no extensions

‘Stability is at risk’

Oaktree have Inter in hand

Steven’s concerns: ‘Every effort to reach an amicable solution has been exasperated by legal threats. We want to protect the club colours’

This evening there is Lazio

‘I will decide after the Final’

Gasp takes the Dea into the Champions League: Napoli are waiting

Atalanta win 2-0 in Lecce

Coach: ‘What counts for me is the challenge. Future? Bayer first’

Toro crush Milan (3-1): they are now ninth

Roma–Genoa

De Rossi raises the bar: ‘Something has to change’

‘A strong coach gets the players he wants. For six years this team hasn’t gone beyond fifth place’

Guardiola: a poker to enter history

If Manchester City beat West Ham, Pep will win his fourth consecutive Premier League title

Sprint finish with Arsenal

Tuttosport

Motta’s Juve? French style

Reinforcements, tactical system: project ready to take flight

Todibo and Thuram of Nice are objectives for defence and midfield

Meanwhile Montero prepares to lead the team in Bologna

His maxim: ‘Fairness matters in life, but in football I have to win’

Fantastic Next Gen: 3-1 in Caserta, progress in the play-offs

Zhang’s star is shattered

From the Scudetto to chaos within the club: Inter towards a turning point

No agreement with Pimco: this adventure is on its last legs

Strong Suning statement against Oaktree, who are ready to take control of the club and confirm faith in management guided by Marotta

Atalanta in the Champions League

Rejoice, Toro! Europe is right there

Milan flattened (3-1) and Napoli leapfrogged

Zapata, Ilic and Rodriguez seal a fabulous Granata night

Now they need to win in Bergamo to be certain of 9^th place

And then hope Fiorentina triumph in the Conference League Final

Banners against Cairo and players

Juric: ‘I won’t change my mind, there is too little joy here and too much controversy’

If Fiorentina win the Conference League Final against Olympiacos and finish outside the top eight, then it would open up another European spot in Serie A.

The Viola will go head-to-head with Olympiacos in Athens for the 2024 Conference League Final on May 29.

Whoever wins that trophy gains automatic access to the Europa League for the 2024-25 campaign.

Therefore, if Fiorentina win while finishing outside the top eight, then they will be the ninth team to qualify for a UEFA competition next season.

However, all they need are two points from their remaining two Serie A matches against Cagliari and Atalanta to guarantee eighth place.

So in order for Torino or even Napoli to snatch that Conference League qualifying spot, they would need the Viola to falter.

Fiorentina on track for eighth place

As things stand, Fiorentina are on 54 points with a game in hand, followed by Torino on 53 and Napoli 52.

The Tuscans will not complete their Serie A campaign until June 2 against Atalanta, as that game was called off at the last minute in March when director Joe Barone collapsed at the team hotel, dying two days later.

It was simply not possible to reschedule it before then due to the packed fixture list of both teams.

As things stand, the top five go into the Champions League, sixth and seventh the Europa League and eighth the Conference League.

Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo was furious at suggestions he feigned illness to avoid playing against Fiorentina, as it’s reported he nearly fainted in the hotel.

The right-back was not even on the bench for last night’s 2-2 draw at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, officially due to a bout of gastroenteritis.

When the report about the match appeared in the Corriere del Mezzogiorno newspaper, it included an allegation that infuriated Napoli.

“Di Lorenzo was a last-minute absentee over an attack of gastroenteritis. Who knows if it was true, who knows if the captain’s nerves just buckled under the pressure of these infernal weeks, hoping it is not the prelude to the announcement of a transfer.”

Di Lorenzo posted the image of the article on Instagram Stories with his own response.

“SHAMEFUL. You are squalid.”

Di Lorenzo ‘felt faint’

His agent Mario Giuffredi told TV Play just how shameful the allegation was in the circumstances around his absence.

“After lunch yesterday, Di Lorenzo started to have serious gastrointestinal problems. The lad was in no condition to play. He wanted to at least be in the stands to cheer on his teammates, but he couldn’t even manage that and had to stay in the hotel.

“Then situation then got even worse. After returning to the hotel following the match, they found Di Lorenzo almost unconscious in his hotel room, he felt faint.

“Just think, they were forced to get the emergency key to enter Giovanni’s room. So anyone throwing fuel on the fire during such a delicate time for Napoli ought to be ashamed of themselves.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Out

The ugliest ending between Allegri and Juve

Club takes a stance: ‘Behaviour was incompatible’

On Monday with Montero

Giuntoli in charge

Here is what Motta’s Old Lady will look like

Inter, Zhang hanging by a thread

Oaktree ready to take the club

Pimco fund steps away, current financer prepared to pounce

There’s Fonseca on the phone

Milan call the Portuguese boss

Scaloni emerges too

Euro Toro try again

Tonight they face the Diavolo, with a victory they can hope

Fiorentina 2-2 Napoli

Il Corriere dello Sport

#SadnessIN

From the Coppa Italia triumph to Allegri Out

A long story of success at Juve ends badly

He is dismissed for incompatibility

Montero on the bench in Bologna

Club decides for an immediate change and blames Max for 5 incidents after victory over Atalanta

Scanavino told him of the dismissal: Giuntoli not seen at Continassa

Thiago Motta, agreement for 2 years plus 1

Napoli-Europe, almost goodbye

With draw in Florence (2-2), Viola are practically secure

Rrahmani opens the scoring, Fiorentina turn it around with Biraghi and Nzola, then Kvara magical free kick

Italiano remains at +2 over Calzona

Another Mihajlovic

His son will be coach of the Bologna babies

Miro follows in his father’s footsteps: he will be assistant-manager of the Under-15 or Under-16 team

His sister Virginia will call her second son Leone Sinisa

Finally FIFA say yes to VAR requests

The announcement

Tuttosport

Allegri sacked: ‘Incompatible with Juve values’

After the controversy, the dismissal arrives with strong statement

Waiting for Motta

Divorce brought forward over behavioural issues: never happened in the Bianconeri

But Agnelli hails him and Rabiot says ‘you deserved a different goodbye’

Montero on the bench for the final two games: tomorrow in Bologna he will face the chosen future coach

The last chat with Max

Meeting at Tuttosport HQ

The coach visited us to apologise to the director and clarify what happened in Rome

Bitterness over a split with Juve filled with tension

Toro, it’s fine like this for Juric

But not for the fans

Tonight against Milan to keep believing

Croatian: ‘I had a good three years. Europe would be the icing on the cake. I want joy, not these splits. There is no unity…’

Draw between Fiorentina and Napoli keeps hope alive

Oaktree ready to take Inter

Still not agreement with Pimco

Without developments this weekend, Zhang will lose control of the club on Tuesday

Meanwhile, the Californian fund hires an Italian communications expert

Vincenzo Italiano reveals why he owes his Fiorentina captain dinner after a 2-2 draw with Napoli and what made his ‘respect’ for President Aurelio De Laurentiis grow.

In what was probably his final home game at the Stadio Franchi, Italiano oversaw the Viola come back from an early Amir Rrahmani header to turn it around with Cristiano Biraghi’s free kick and M’Bala Nzola.

However, a spectacular long-range Kvicha Kvaratskhelia set-piece sealed the 2-2 result.

“We’ll take this draw, we also have a game in hand, so will do what is necessary to secure our seasonal objective of a top eight finish,” the coach told DAZN.

“Napoli are a dangerous opponent with quick wingers and are so good on the counter. At times we are a little too open and that is something which could cost us dearly if we are not more careful. It should’ve been more comfortable after taking the lead, but instead we made life difficult for ourselves and risked defeat.”

There is one more Serie A match to be played against Cagliari, and of course the game in hand with Atalanta schedule for June 2, but Fiorentina already have their minds on the Conference League Final against Olympiacos in Athens on May 29.

“We all have this dream and all together will try to do one better than last season. I am glad the fans applauded the lads at the end of a fantastic two-year run and after Cagliari we’ll concentrate on bringing the trophy home,” added Italiano.

“Sitting on the bench at the Stadio Franchi is a role filled with responsibility. You know what you are going into, you know the passion of these people, so that is why you want to give your best and win every game. Sensing this atmosphere makes us realise we must leave nothing to chance.

“It is an honour and a privilege to share this experience with these players.”

Italiano owes Biraghi

After Arthur Melo scored a rare goal, now Biraghi has also broken the drought with his first direct free kick of the season.

“It hadn’t happened in a year, I told him he couldn’t close the campaign without a free kick. I guess this means I owe him dinner.”

Italiano has also been heavily linked with the Napoli job and was asked about talks with President De Laurentiis in the press conference.

“I believe that last summer he called the club and they did not allow him to contact me, so he stepped back. He behaved like a gentleman, I already had enormous respect for De Laurentiis and it only grew after knowing that.”

Francesco Calzona was at least less downhearted after Napoli snatched a 2-2 draw away to Fiorentina, but urges the club to give Kvicha Kvaratskhelia time. ‘He is almost a champion.’

The Partenopei knew defeat here would guarantee the Viola qualification for the Conference League, so fighting back for a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at least leaves the tiniest sliver of hope alive.

They had taken an early lead with the Amir Rrahmani header, only to concede twice in barely two minutes before the break from Cristiano Biraghi and M’Bala Nzola.

Only a sensational Kvaratskhelia free kick allowed them to take a point home.

“It doesn’t hurt too much today because I saw a good performance against a strong Fiorentina side,” Calzona told DAZN.

“I liked the team for the first half-hour, then we lost our way after the equaliser for 10 minutes and conceded the second goal. However, we stepped up after the break and had several good chances.

“We did not win, we know our problem is that we are forced to win, and that kind of pressure certainly doesn’t help. Honestly, Fiorentina had three scoring opportunities and converted two of them today, which is a recurring issue for us.

“I told the lads at half-time we had to push up more, as we were sitting too deep against a Fiorentina side who love to play the ball in the opposition half. This team has limitations, but it was mostly well-drilled today, so I am happy with the performance.”

Calzona shrugs off De Laurentiis

Calzona will go back to his day job at the end of the season, as coach of the Slovakia national team, and tempers are already beginning to fray with President Aurelio De Laurentiis.

The patron talked this week about completely reconstructing the squad that won the Scudetto only last year, so everyone is for sale at the right price, even Kvaratskhelia.

“The club will have its strategy and know what to do in order to revitalise this team and get it back to the position it deserves. Kvara is an important player, he is young and at times does not perform, but when a player has quality above the norm, he must be given time to grow. In my view, he is almost a champion,” concluded Calzona.

“As for what the President says, honestly I won’t comment on that, because it’s a club matter and it’s his problem.”

Fiorentina and Napoli shared the points in a four-goal thriller, including two world class free kicks from Cristiano Biraghi and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia.

This was a head-to-head for eighth place, as they were separated by just two teams and the Viola have a game in hand to be played against Atalanta on June 2. Riccardo Sottil was the only remaining absentee for the hosts, but Victor Osimhen, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Mario Rui, Piotr Zielinski and Pierluigi Gollini were out of action.

See how it unfolded on the Liveblog.

It took under eight minutes to break the deadlock, as Matteo Politano whipped in a corner and Lucas Martinez Quarta was far too weak, allowing Amir Rrahmani a practically undisturbed header.

Fiorentina won't want to watch that defending back

Amir Rrahmani strikes first for Napoli!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/mTyaYnR3rV

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 17, 2024

Jens Cajuste shinned a promising half-volley from 12 yards and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia did the same after a give-and-go with Matias Olivera, then the Georgian curled just over.

Fiorentina responded with a Lucas Beltran effort straight at Alex Meret and Stanislav Lobotka charging down the Nico Gonzalez strike.

The hosts equalised with a divine free kick from specialist Cristiano Biraghi, as it bounced in off the underside of the crossbar, giving Meret no chance.

Incredibly, the game was turned on its head within 90 seconds, as Politano got into a tangle playing out from the back, Nzola intercepted and placed a low right-foot finish into the far bottom corner, putting Fiorentina in front.

𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐓 strike from M'Bala Nzola to give Fiorentina the lead!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/qzmz5opXSn

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 17, 2024

After the restart, Meret needed a tough save to palm a Nico Gonzalez curler out of the top corner from the edge of the area, while Jens Cajuste turned over after a Pietro Terracciano one-handed save on Giovanni Simeone.

If the Biraghi free kick was good, then the Kvaratskhelia effort was simply astounding. It was a good 25 metres out and bent with precision and power into the near top corner, again giving the goalkeeper no chance.

MY GOODNESS KHVICHA KVARATSKHELIA

From DEEP pic.twitter.com/3qRFWIcbkO

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 17, 2024

Napoli almost turned the game around completely moments later, Politano drilling low to bounce off the base of the upright.

Meret fingertipped a Nico Gonzalez free kick over the bar and Terracciano parried a Politano counter-attack at the near post.

Fiorentina were awarded a penalty at the 80^th minute, but it was revoked following a VAR On-Field Review, as Lobotka got the ball first and made absolutely minimal contact with Andrea Belotti, who was already going down.

Napoli pushed for the winner in stoppages, Giacomo Raspadori’s angled drive going through Nikola Milenkovic’s legs and just wide.

Fiorentina 2-2 Napoli

Rrahmani 8 (N), Biraghi 40 (F), Nzola 42 (F), Kvaratskhelia 57 (N)

17-05-2024 19:45

MatchDay 37

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Napoli

2 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		8'		Amir Rrahmani (Assist: Matteo Politano)
Cristiano Biraghi		40'
		41'		Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
M’Bala Nzola		42'

2nd half

		57'		Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
		70'		Jens Cajuste
Rolando Mandragora		84'

Match statistic

63

Possession %

37

14

Total shots

15

5

Shots on target

3

5

Shots off target

11

4

Blocked shots

1

5

Corners

3

1

Offsides

16

Fouls

14

Fiorentina

Napoli

Starting lineups

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

3

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

78'

2

Dodô

Defender

28

Lucas Martínez Quarta

Defender

4

Nikola Milenkovic

Defender

6

Arthur Melo

Midfielder

87'

5

Giacomo Bonaventura

Midfielder

99

Christian Kouamé

Attacker

67'

9

Lucas Beltrán

Attacker

78'

18

M’Bala Nzola

Attacker

67'

10

Nicólas González

Attacker

1

Alex Meret

Goalkeeper

13

Amir Rrahmani

Defender

55

Leo Östigard

Defender

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

30

Pasquale Mazzocchi

Defender

99

Frank Anguissa

Midfielder

24

Jens Cajuste

Midfielder

68

Stanislav Lobotka

Midfielder

18

Giovanni Simeone

Attacker

76'

77

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Attacker

86'

21

Matteo Politano

Attacker

76'

Substitutes

32

Alfred Duncan

Midfielder

16

Luca Ranieri

Defender

17

Gaetano Castrovilli

Midfielder

72

Antonin Barak

Midfielder

22

Davide Faraoni

Defender

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

30

Tommaso Martinelli

Goalkeeper

33

Michael Kayode

Defender

19

Gino Infantino

Midfielder

37

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

11

Jonathan Ikoné

Attacker

67'

20

Andrea Belotti

Attacker

67'

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

78'

38

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

78'

8

Maxime Lopez

Midfielder

87'

5

Juan Jesus

Defender

16

Hubert Idasiak

Goalkeeper

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

Hamed Junior Traorè

Midfielder

32

Leander Dendoncker

Defender

3

Natan

Defender

81

Giacomo Raspadori

Attacker

76'

26

Cyril Ngonge

Attacker

76'

29

Jesper Lindström

Midfielder

86'

Napoli coach Francesco Calzona explains why captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo is out of tonight’s match against Fiorentina and has a warning.

It kicks off at the Stadio Franchi at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.

“We must be more focused from the start, because we get these drops in concentration and make it too easy for our opponents. We have two matches and must get the maximum result with good performances,” Calzona told DAZN.

Victor Osimhen, Piotr Zielinski and Mario Rui did not make the trip, but Di Lorenzo has also pulled out at the last minute and is not even on the bench.

“Di Lorenzo had a bout of gastroenteritis, it’s very sad, as I would always like him in my team. We are missing quite a few players, but also have many ready to step in, so we keep going.”

Calzona shrugs off De Laurentiis comments

President Aurelio De Laurentiis said it would not be a tragedy if Napoli failed to qualify for Europe.

“If the President says so. I can’t be here discussing that, I’ve got other problems to deal with,” shrugged the coach.

This match is a head-to-head for eighth place, as Fiorentina are two points in front and have a game in hand against Atalanta to be played on June 2.

A victory this evening would guarantee at least Conference League football for the Viola.

However, if they beat Olympiacos in the Conference League Final on May 29, then they will qualify for the Europa League instead.

Victor Osimhen is injured, so Giovanni Simeone and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia start for Napoli in the showdown for Europe with M’Bala Nzola and Nico Gonzalez’s Fiorentina.

It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.

These sides are separated by just two points, but the Viola also have a game in hand against Atalanta to be played on June 2.

They are therefore the favourites to take eighth place and qualify for the Conference League, though that might be irrelevant if they beat Olympiacos on May 29 in the Conference League Final and therefore qualify directly for the Europa League.

Riccardo Sottil is the only remaining injury absentee, as Giacomo Bonaventura returns, with Nico Gonzalez, Lucas Beltran and Kouame fanning out behind Nzola rather than Andrea Belotti.

Napoli are missing Osimhen, Mario Rui, Piotr Zielinski and Pierluigi Gollini, but Kvaratskhelia is fully recovered and starts with Simeone and Matteo Politano.

Captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo had a stomach bug last night, so Pasquale Mazzocchi takes his place.

These sides met in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final in January, Napoli winning 3-0 and Jonathan Ikone missing a penalty.

Fiorentina vs. Napoli line-ups

Fiorentina: Terracciano; Dodo, Milenkovic, Martinez Quarta, Biraghi; Arthur, Bonaventura; Nico Gonzalez, Beltran, Kouame; Nzola

Napoli: Meret; Mazzocchi, Rrahmani, Ostigard, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Cajuste; Politano, Simeone, Kvaratskhelia

17-05-2024 19:45

MatchDay 37

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Napoli

2 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		8'		Amir Rrahmani (Assist: Matteo Politano)
Cristiano Biraghi		40'
		41'		Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
M’Bala Nzola		42'

2nd half

		57'		Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
		70'		Jens Cajuste
Rolando Mandragora		84'

Match statistic

63

Possession %

37

14

Total shots

15

5

Shots on target

3

5

Shots off target

11

4

Blocked shots

1

5

Corners

3

1

Offsides

16

Fouls

14

Fiorentina

Napoli

Starting lineups

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

3

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

78'

2

Dodô

Defender

28

Lucas Martínez Quarta

Defender

4

Nikola Milenkovic

Defender

6

Arthur Melo

Midfielder

87'

5

Giacomo Bonaventura

Midfielder

99

Christian Kouamé

Attacker

67'

9

Lucas Beltrán

Attacker

78'

18

M’Bala Nzola

Attacker

67'

10

Nicólas González

Attacker

1

Alex Meret

Goalkeeper

13

Amir Rrahmani

Defender

55

Leo Östigard

Defender

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

30

Pasquale Mazzocchi

Defender

99

Frank Anguissa

Midfielder

24

Jens Cajuste

Midfielder

68

Stanislav Lobotka

Midfielder

18

Giovanni Simeone

Attacker

76'

77

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Attacker

86'

21

Matteo Politano

Attacker

76'

Substitutes

32

Alfred Duncan

Midfielder

16

Luca Ranieri

Defender

17

Gaetano Castrovilli

Midfielder

72

Antonin Barak

Midfielder

22

Davide Faraoni

Defender

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

30

Tommaso Martinelli

Goalkeeper

33

Michael Kayode

Defender

19

Gino Infantino

Midfielder

37

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

11

Jonathan Ikoné

Attacker

67'

20

Andrea Belotti

Attacker

67'

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

78'

38

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

78'

8

Maxime Lopez

Midfielder

87'

5

Juan Jesus

Defender

16

Hubert Idasiak

Goalkeeper

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

Hamed Junior Traorè

Midfielder

32

Leander Dendoncker

Defender

3

Natan

Defender

81

Giacomo Raspadori

Attacker

76'

26

Cyril Ngonge

Attacker

76'

29

Jesper Lindström

Midfielder

86'

Fiorentina will look to Andrea Belotti and Nico Gonzalez against Napoli who are expected to rely on Giacomo Raspadori to replace the injured Victor Osimhen.

It kicks off at 20:45 CET at the Stadio Franchi in Florence.

The Viola have qualified for the Conference League Final and still hope to earn a spot in the Europa League for 2024-25. Vincenzo Italiano won’t rotate much in what could be his final home game at the club.

Belotti, Giacomo Bonaventura and Nico Gonzalez are all expected to start and only Riccardo Sottil is unavailable for the Tuscans.

Napoli, on the other hand, must cope without Piotr Zielinski, Pierluigi Gollini, Mario Rui and Osimhen.

Italy international Raspadori is favourite to start in attack alongside Matteo Politano and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but ex-Fiorentina striker Simeone also has a chance to start up front.

Napoli currently sit 9th in the Serie A table and a Conference League spot is realistically the best result they can achieve in the final two games of the season.

Fiorentina vs Napoli – probable line-ups

Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): Terracciano; Dodô, Milenkovic, Martínez Quarta, Biraghi; Arthur, Bonaventura; Nico Gonzalez, Beltran, Kouamé; Belotti.

Napoli (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Cajuste; Politano, Raspadori, Kvaratskhelia.

Fiorentina are the latest Serie A side to reveal their new kit ahead of the 2024-25 season, releasing a short video in collaboration with manufacturers Kappa on X and other social media platforms on Thursday evening.

To little surprise, the new Fiorentina kit is an all-purple affair, featuring the club’s and manufacturer’s logo on the breast plate, with the club’s sponsor, Mediacom, founded by Viola owner Rocco Commisso, taking its usual place across the front of the jersey.

Fiorentina have confirmed that the new strip will be made available to order online with Kappa on Friday.

Presenting our new Home Kombat Pro for the 2025 season

“L’anima Viola” embodies the club’s identity. Available tomorrow at https://t.co/oZwJEt2C5l#forzaviola #fiorentina pic.twitter.com/TQGbzbiES5

— ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) May 16, 2024

Anima Viola#forzaviola #fiorentina pic.twitter.com/rru4VBJm5T

— ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) May 16, 2024

Napoli saw their hopes of at least qualifying for the Conference League further dented with news Victor Osimhen will probably miss Friday’s showdown with Fiorentina.

The Partenopei fell behind the Viola in the Serie A standings last week and need to win this game to have any chance of getting eighth place.

However, coach Francesco Calzona’s squad is significantly weakened without last year’s Capocannoniere.

Osimhen did not participate in training today due to a muscular problem, so he only had physiotherapy and personalised work in the gym.

According to the latest reports, the Nigeria international is a major doubt to feature in the clash with Fiorentina on Friday evening.

Osimhen doubt for Napoli

Piotr Zielinski and Mario Rui also worked separately from the rest of the squad, but Jens Lindstrom is back in with the group.

Osimhen scored 15 goals in Serie A this season, but has been affected by numerous injuries and his absence due to the Africa Cup of Nations in January and February.

If he doesn’t make it for Friday, then it is likely that Giacomo Raspadori or Giovanni Simeone will step in as the centre-forward.

Arthur Melo admits even he was so shocked that he finally scored a goal that he got told off by his girlfriend, but thanks Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano. ‘He always asks!’

The midfielder got the winner against Monza this evening, after Milan Djuric and Nico Gonzalez headers, turning Warren Bondo to drill right-footed into the far bottom corner from outside the box.

Italiano joked it was Arthur’s first goal in “7-8 years,” although in truth it was a little more recent in January 2021.

“He always asks me to go for goal, so I finally did it and I scored! I thanked him, he always urges me to try and now we are all happy,” grinned Arthur on Sky Sport Italia.

“I still need to improve a lot, I know that. One of my best areas is pushing forward and providing assists, I realise that I need to be more vertical, more attacking. Half the credit for the goal goes to Italiano, as he keeps telling me to do it.”

There was a moment during the interview when one of the lights fell down behind them and Arthur joked this was another sign something was up.

“It’s all strange things happening today! I score a goal, things collapse…”

The Sky Sport Italia studio joked the noise was Italiano fainting that Arthur had finally scored a goal.

Arthur forgot promise to girlfriend

What a solo effort that is from Arthur Melo

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/s0x4EucNeM

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 13, 2024

It seems that the former Juventus, Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder was so shocked by finding the net that he completely forgot to do the goal celebration he promised his girlfriend.

She told him off with messages on the phone, so he did it on Sky Sport Italia instead, although the mime was so bad it needed explaining.

“She learned to cook in Italy, here in Florence, she went to a culinary school, so I promised to mime her slicing.”

Arthur was valued at €80m when moving from Barcelona to Juventus, but had barely played until this loan to Fiorentina due to multiple injury problems.

“I feel very good, I thank the medical and fitness staff. This is the season where I played the most minutes, which is very important for me after a nasty injury. I have to thank everyone, also the coach for having faith in me.”

Fiorentina are in the Conference League Final against Olympiacos and are desperate to get silverware for their director Joe Barone, who died in March.

“Considering everything that happened with Joe, it would be too wonderful if we managed to get the trophy for him. It’s what we all want.”

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano jokes Arthur Melo hadn’t scored in ‘7-8 years’ before tonight’s win over Monza, but is already studying Conference League Finalists Olympiacos.

The Viola had to rotate the squad and were missing several big players after Thursday’s Conference League semi-final win over Club Brugge, setting up their spot in the Final against Olympiacos in Athens on May 29.

“We said that we needed to be concentrated, as we need to keep plugged in and focused on what we’ve got to do both in Serie A and going into that truly important match with great spirit and enthusiasm,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.

It was a rough start at the Stadio Franchi this evening, as Milan Djuric put Monza in front with a trademark header, but Nico Gonzalez nodded in the equaliser before Arthur Melo drilled a rare strike into the far bottom corner from outside the D.

“We did well with the comeback, the fatigue is getting to the players and we had to use Castrovilli wide to fill the gaps and let some others rest. We are playing with enthusiasm, what we try in training often works and just like last season, the lads are pushing hard at this stage.

“We knew that Djuric had been scoring a lot recently and that this situation could happen, but he’s so big and strong, I’m not sure there is a method of stopping him!”

If there is one player who seemingly never gets tired, it is Nico Gonzalez, while Arthur Melo has also shaken off some fitness issues.

“Nico is doing well, he had a period where he was not sharp, but you can see from his runs in attack and defence just how good he feels now. Having Nico in this shape right now is very important for us,” continued Italiano.

“Arthur scored a great goal, maybe it was 7-8 years since he last scored! Maybe that means things are changing now. Until recently he tended to fall away from the 60^th minute onwards, but today he was really pushing until the 80^th. He’s a great professional, working hard and this goal was the just reward.”

Italiano agrees with Klopp comparisons

The Nico Gonzalez goal came from Fiorentina with a high press, swarming to prevent Monza getting out of their own final third until Antonin Barak eventually crossed to the Argentina international.

It was compared to the approach taken by Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and before that in Germany.

“We expected Monza to change system, as they have been playing with four at the back recently, so we tried to get them to move around and find them in their weak area. It worked,” agreed Italiano.

“This high press brings some advantages, it also has risks, because if the opponents beat the first press then the spaces really open up. There are ways to avoid that too, including tactical fouls, blocking the corridors, and this goal was an example of why we play like this.”

As things stand, Fiorentina are now two points clear of Napoli in eighth place, but have a game in hand to be played against Atalanta on June 2.

This weekend, they will also go head-to-head with Napoli in what could be a decisive result for the Conference League spot.

Meanwhile, Italiano is already paying close attention to Olympiacos ahead of the Conference League Final in Athens.

“I was there in front of the television with pizza and Coca-Cola to study them in the second leg against Aston Villa. They are a strong, aggressive team, and if they beat Villa home and away, that means they have real quality.

“Their centre-forward is scoring consistently, but the team can close up and counter very effectively. It won’t be their stadium, but we are in their city, so you can imagine the atmosphere we will be stepping into.

“This is our second consecutive Conference League Final, we want to make the most of the lessons we learned from last season’s experience, as this is a great opportunity to bring a trophy to Florence.”

In the last two seasons, Italiano has taken Fiorentina to three Finals, losing the Coppa Italia and the Conference League in 2023.

Nico Gonzalez and a rare Arthur Melo solo effort allowed Fiorentina to overturn the early Milan Djuric header and beat Monza 2-1, staying in the European chase.

Fresh from qualifying for the Conference League Final against Olympiacos, the Viola missed Andrea Belotti, Jonathan Ikone and Riccardo Sottil, while Monza were without a victory in six and unable to count on Patrick Ciurria.

See how the game unfolded on the Liveblog.

The visitors took a surprise early lead when Dany Mota Carvalho was allowed to stand up a cross from the right and Milan Djuric got in front of Lucas Martinez-Quarta for the trademark header.

Fiorentina tried to respond immediately, Armando Izzo with a decisive tackle on Antonin Barak in the penalty area, while M’Bala Nzola had a heavy first touch when springing the offside trap on the Nico Gonzalez pass.

The hosts did equalise when Barak’s cross from the right went over Nzola and found Nico Gonzalez’s cushioned header at the back post.

Pietro Terracciano rushed off his line to deny Alessio Zerbin, then Nico Gonzalez sprinted from his own half to sting Michele Di Gregorio’s gloves at the near stick.

Fabiano Parisi went on a mazy run into the box and went down under a challenge, but the referee was well-positioned and gave a yellow card for simulation.

Fiorentina should’ve gone into the break 2-1 up, but Martinez-Quarta nodded a Barak cross over the bar from a couple of yards.

Rolando Mandragora called a big save out of Di Gregorio after his stunning first touch to control the Parisi ball over the top and hit it on the half-volley.

Mandragora came sliding in to meet the Barak knockdown just a moment too late to beat Di Gregorio, but the Fiorentina pressure finally paid off when Arthur Melo turned Warren Bondo in midfield and ran forward to drill a powerful yet precise right-foot finish into the far bottom corner from outside the D.

What a solo effort that is from Arthur Melo

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/s0x4EucNeM

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 13, 2024

Andrea Colpani threatened to equalise immediately with a stunning solo effort, as he let the ball bounce, flicked it over Milenkovic and drilled inches wide.

Fiorentina 2-1 Monza

Djuric 9 (M), Nico Gonzalez 32 (F), Arthur 78 (F)

13-05-2024 19:45

MatchDay 36

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Monza

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		9'		Milan Djuric (Assist: Dany Mota)
Nicólas González (Assist: Antonin Barak)		32'
Fabiano Parisi		41'

2nd half

		69'		Warren Bondo
Arthur Melo (Assist: Antonin Barak)		78'

Match statistic

49

Possession %

51

15

Total shots

6

8

Shots on target

2

2

Shots off target

3

5

Blocked shots

1

6

Corners

1

1

Offsides

9

Fouls

14

Fiorentina

Monza

Starting lineups

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

80'

28

Lucas Martínez Quarta

Defender

33

Michael Kayode

Defender

80'

4

Nikola Milenkovic

Defender

72

Antonin Barak

Midfielder

6

Arthur Melo

Midfielder

80'

17

Gaetano Castrovilli

Midfielder

74'

38

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

18

M’Bala Nzola

Attacker

61'

10

Nicólas González

Attacker

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

4

Armando Izzo

Defender

77

Georgios Kyriakopoulos

Defender

46'

22

Pablo Marí

Defender

73'

19

Samuele Birindelli

Defender

64'

28

Andrea Colpani

Midfielder

82'

32

Matteo Pessina

Midfielder

38

Warren Bondo

Midfielder

20

Alessio Zerbin

Attacker

47

Dany Mota

Attacker

64'

11

Milan Djuric

Attacker

Substitutes

5

Giacomo Bonaventura

Midfielder

16

Luca Ranieri

Defender

8

Maxime Lopez

Midfielder

2

Dodô

Defender

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

30

Tommaso Martinelli

Goalkeeper

19

Gino Infantino

Midfielder

37

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

99

Christian Kouamé

Attacker

61'

9

Lucas Beltrán

Attacker

74'

3

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

80'

32

Alfred Duncan

Midfielder

80'

22

Davide Faraoni

Defender

80'

6

Roberto Gagliardini

Midfielder

10

Gianluca Caprari

Attacker

9

Lorenzo Colombo

Attacker

2

Giulio Donati

Defender

80

Samuele Vignato

Midfielder

66

Stefano Gori

Goalkeeper

23

Alessandro Sorrentino

Goalkeeper

61

Andrea Ferraris

Attacker

5

Luca Caldirola

Defender

46'

8

Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro

Midfielder

64'

13

Pedro Pereira

Midfielder

64'

33

Danilo D’Ambrosio

Defender

73'

21

Valentín Carboni

Midfielder

82'

Fiorentina reshuffle as they host Andrea Colpani’s Monza and try to stay in the hunt for European placement with M’Bala Nzola and Nico Gonzalez.

It kicks off at the Stadio Franchi at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Lecce-Udinese on the LIVEBLOG.

The Viola have qualified for the Conference League Final, having beaten Club Brugge in Thursday’s semi-final, and therefore need to rotate the squad.

Andrea Belotti and Jonathan Ikone are not even on the bench due to knocks, with Riccardo Sottil out for the season after fracturing his clavicle.

Gaetano Castrovilli scored his first goal last week after almost a year out due to knee surgery and he starts with Nzola, Antonin Barak and Nico Gonzalez.

Monza are settling into mid-table comfort and are without a victory in six, but did hold Bologna, Lecce and Lazio to draws during that spell.

The campaign is over for Patrick Ciurria following a meniscus operation, with players like Jose Machin, Danilo D’Ambrosio and Samuel Vignato not at 100 per cent.

Roberto Gagliardini makes his return after a one-match ban, but is only on the bench.

Fiorentina vs. Monza line-ups

Fiorentina: Terracciano; Kayode, Milenkovic, Martinez-Quarta, Parisi; Arthur, Mandragora; Nico Gonzalez, Barak, Castrovilli; Nzola

Monza: Di Gregorio; Birindelli, Izzo, Pablo Mari, Kyriakopoulos; Pessina, Bondo; Zerbin, Colpani, Dany Mota; Djuric

13-05-2024 19:45

MatchDay 36

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Monza

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		9'		Milan Djuric (Assist: Dany Mota)
Nicólas González (Assist: Antonin Barak)		32'
Fabiano Parisi		41'

2nd half

		69'		Warren Bondo
Arthur Melo (Assist: Antonin Barak)		78'

Match statistic

49

Possession %

51

15

Total shots

6

8

Shots on target

2

2

Shots off target

3

5

Blocked shots

1

6

Corners

1

1

Offsides

9

Fouls

14

Fiorentina

Monza

Starting lineups

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

80'

28

Lucas Martínez Quarta

Defender

33

Michael Kayode

Defender

80'

4

Nikola Milenkovic

Defender

72

Antonin Barak

Midfielder

6

Arthur Melo

Midfielder

80'

17

Gaetano Castrovilli

Midfielder

74'

38

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

18

M’Bala Nzola

Attacker

61'

10

Nicólas González

Attacker

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

4

Armando Izzo

Defender

77

Georgios Kyriakopoulos

Defender

46'

22

Pablo Marí

Defender

73'

19

Samuele Birindelli

Defender

64'

28

Andrea Colpani

Midfielder

82'

32

Matteo Pessina

Midfielder

38

Warren Bondo

Midfielder

20

Alessio Zerbin

Attacker

47

Dany Mota

Attacker

64'

11

Milan Djuric

Attacker

Substitutes

5

Giacomo Bonaventura

Midfielder

16

Luca Ranieri

Defender

8

Maxime Lopez

Midfielder

2

Dodô

Defender

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

30

Tommaso Martinelli

Goalkeeper

19

Gino Infantino

Midfielder

37

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

99

Christian Kouamé

Attacker

61'

9

Lucas Beltrán

Attacker

74'

3

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

80'

32

Alfred Duncan

Midfielder

80'

22

Davide Faraoni

Defender

80'

6

Roberto Gagliardini

Midfielder

10

Gianluca Caprari

Attacker

9

Lorenzo Colombo

Attacker

2

Giulio Donati

Defender

80

Samuele Vignato

Midfielder

66

Stefano Gori

Goalkeeper

23

Alessandro Sorrentino

Goalkeeper

61

Andrea Ferraris

Attacker

5

Luca Caldirola

Defender

46'

8

Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro

Midfielder

64'

13

Pedro Pereira

Midfielder

64'

33

Danilo D’Ambrosio

Defender

73'

21

Valentín Carboni

Midfielder

82'

Portuguese referee Artur Soares Dias will officiate the Conference League Final between Fiorentina and Olympiacos on May 29, but is already familiar with Greece.

The showdown will kick off at the AEK Arena in Athens on Wednesday May 29 at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

There will inevitably be more Olympiacos supporters than Fiorentina, because it was a mere coincidence that the Final had been scheduled for Athens, without knowing a Greek team would qualify.

UEFA confirmed that Soares Dias will be assisted by Paulo Soares and Pedro Ribeiro, with Sweden’s Glenn Nyberg as the fourth official.

The VAR is Tiago Martins of Portugal, with Germany’s Christian Dingert as his assistant and Marco Fritz as VAR Support.

This will be the first major UEFA Final for 44-year-old Soares Dias.

Soares Dias record with these Finalists

He has officiated Fiorentina before in the Europa League, overseeing a 2-1 win over Dnipro in December 2013 and a 4-2 home defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach in February 2017.

His overall record with Italian club sides is of eight wins, one draw and four defeats.

Soares Dias officiated Olympiacos twice in the Greek Super League, a 1-0 win over Panathinaikos in November 2020 and 1-1 draw away to AEK Athens in September 2023.

Foreign referees were not unusual in the Greek Super League, but UEFA withdrew their use in May 2023 following fears for their safety.