Pisa vs Fiorentina: Tuscan derby thriller

Pisa vs Fiorentina returns to the banks of the Arno after 34 years. Already charged with city rivalry, the match sees two teams desperately for points after defeats to Napoli and Como. Both sides are still seeking their first win of the season and hope to claim it in the derby.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

There have been 10 official previous matches between Pisa and Fiorentina at the Arena Garibaldi. The record stands at 2 home victories, 4 draws, and 4 Fiorentina wins. Pisa have not won or scored at home in the Tuscan derby since August 28, 1988, in the Coppa Italia: a 4-2 victory for the home side with goals from Been, Piovanelli, and a brace from Severeyns, while Fiorentina's goals came from Roberto Baggio and Dunga. The most recent Serie A match in Pisa was on October 7, 1990: Pisa-Fiorentina 0-4 (goals by Fuser, Kubik brace, and Di Chiara). This was the only match among the 10 derbies played at Pisa's home ground where both teams were coached by foreign managers (Mircea Lucescu and Sebastiao Lazaroni). This match was also played on the 5th matchday of the first half of the season.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fiorentina have 2 points after 4 matchdays - this had not happened since the 2019/20 season, when the Viola finished ninth with 49 points.

COACHES and PLAYERS

This marks the third official encounter between Alberto Gilardino and Stefano Pioli, following the two matches in the 2023/24 season: Pioli's victory at Marassi in Genoa-Milan 0-1 and a 3-3 draw at San Siro. As a player, Alberto Gilardino made 157 appearances in Viola colors, scoring 63 goals. The striker remains Fiorentina's top scorer in the European Cup/Champions League with 9 goals.

DISCIPLINE

Suspended: none Cautioned: none

REFEREE

MANGANIELLO (ROSSI M. – MONACO) IV: ZUFFERLI, VAR: PEZZUTO, AVAR: MARESCA

UPCOMING MATCHES IN SERIE A

Bologna-Pisa (Sunday 5 October, 15.00 CEST) Fiorentina-Roma (Sunday 5 October, 15.00 CEST) (Photo Getty Images)