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Fiorentina matches against Torino have been one of two things since they have returned to the top flight, either a) wild and tactically chaotic goalfests or b) really dull low-scoring draws. Given that both teams are returning from high intensity Europa League goal draws against good opposition, the tired legs and rotated squads might make this a rather drab affair. But regardless of the general quality of the game, Torino have recently been "up for" these matches and will probably make it an even contest.
It's not even clear who the form team is for this match. Yes, Fiorentina are undefeated in 9 in all competitions (6 wins, 3 draws), but Torino have also lost just once in 2015, and that Coppa Italia defeat against Lazio was their first and only loss since the Derby della Mole in November (6-1- 6 since losing that match to Juventus at the last minute). In other words, Torino under Giampiero Ventura remain incredibly hard to beat.
It won't be simplified by the expected rotation from Vincenzo Montella, eager to seize the opportunity to advance in the Europa League with a win against Spurs this coming Thursday. Borja Valero, Joaquin, Matias Fernandez, and David Pizarro are all expected to sit this one out, meaning a near-total revolution in midfield is expected, with starts forecasted for Milan Badelj, Jasmin Kurtic, and Alberto Aquilani in midfield, as well as a switch to the 4-3-3 that's served Fiorentina well recently. Alessandro Diamanti is expected to slot in with Khouma Babacar in attack, with the young Senegalese starting despite some mild bad press recently for driving his Porsche without a license. Micah Richards might even start at right back, with Gonzalo Rodriguez and Stefan Savic as the defensive pairing the only untouchable part of the team for Montella.
For Torino, Ventura is expected to rotate very little, with most of his starters fit and available. Maxi Lopez is expected to partner Fabio Quagliarella in attack for Toro, fresh from two goals against Bilbao, while all of the first choice central defenders are expected to be selected for the granata back 3.
Let's hope for a lively one, and a confidence boosting 3 points for the boys in purple!
PROJECTED LINEUPS
FIORENTINA (4-3-3): TATARUSANU; RICHARDS, GONZALO, SAVIC, PASQUAL; AQUILANI, BADELJ, KURTIC; DIAMANTI, BABACAR, SALAH
Torino (3-5-2): Padelli; Maksimovic, Glik, Moretti; B. Peres, Benassi, Gazzi, Farnerud, Darmian; Maxi Lopez, Quagliarella