Sassuolo vs. Fiorentina: Battle to Escape Drop Zone

Separated by just three points, Sassuolo and Fiorentina meet at the Mapei Stadium on Matchday 10 of Serie A, with both sides still uncomfortably close to the bottom of the table. Sassuolo are looking to end a three-match losing streak following defeats to Frosinone, Como and Lazio. Fiorentina, meanwhile, halted their own run of three straight defeats with a draw against Atalanta on Thursday. The Viola will now be looking to build on that result and secure a victory that would bring them level on points with their hosts.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have been 13 official meetings between the two teams in Emilia: 5 Sassuolo wins (the last being a 3-1 victory, Serie A 2025/26), 3 draws (the last being a 3-3 draw, Serie A 2018/19) and 5 Fiorentina wins (the last being a 1-3 victory, Serie A 2022/23).

Sassuolo have scored in 11 consecutive home games against Fiorentina, with 19 goals scored in total by the Neroverdi.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sassuolo are the team that have conceded the most penalties (3, level with Atalanta and Frosinone).

Sassuolo have collected just 1 point in their last 5 league games (Sassuolo-Milan 1-1). The Emilia-based side's last win came on 13 September (Sassuolo-Juventus 3-2, Serie A).

Aquilani's team have kept just 1 clean sheet in their 11 official matches in 2026/27 (Sassuolo-Cesena 3-0, Coppa Italia). In the following 10 matches, they have conceded 23 goals.

Sassuolo are the team that concede the most goals (6) between the 46th and 60th minutes.

The 1st and 3rd teams with the most goals conceded in the opening 9 matchdays face each other: the Emilia-based side have conceded 22 goals (level with Monza), while Fiorentina have conceded 21.

Fiorentina have recorded just 2 wins in their last 15 league games across the previous and current seasons: the record is completed by 6 draws and 7 defeats.

Fiorentina have collected just 2 points in their last 5 league games: 2 draws and 3 defeats. Vanoli's team have kept just 1 clean sheet in their 11 official matches in 2026/27 (Fiorentina-Pisa 3-0, Coppa Italia). In the remaining 10 matches, they have conceded a total of 22 goals.

COACHES and PLAYERS

This will be the 3rd official meeting between Alberto Aquilani and Paolo Vanoli: the current Fiorentina manager won both Serie B encounters in the 2023/24 season, when the two coaches were in charge of Pisa and Venezia respectively.

Alberto Aquilani is the former player and manager of the day: he coached Fiorentina's youth teams from 2019 to 2023, winning 3 Primavera Coppa Italia titles and 2 Primavera Super Cups. He also played for the Viola from 2012 to 2015, making 105 official appearances and scoring 15 goals.

Joao Mario scored against Atalanta: his 2nd Serie A goal for the Portuguese defender, who had not scored since 5 April (Cremonese-Bologna 1-2).

DISCIPLINE 

Suspended: Thorstvedt (Sassuolo)

Cautioned: none 

REFEREE

MARCENARO (DEI GIUDICI – BIANCHINI) IV: AYROLDI, VAR: AURELIANO, AVAR: PEZZUTO

UPCOMING MATCHES 

Roma-Sassuolo (7/11, 20.45)

Fiorentina-Juventus (8/11, 20.45)

(Photo Getty Images)