Pietro Terracciano—7: Solely two saves made however considered one of them was a terrific deny to Federico Di Francesco from shut vary simply after the break, and his cease from Gabriel Streveza’s header wasn’t dangerous both. He despatched a terrific kick to Kouamé to start out the break as properly. Good enjoyable day in any other case.

Dudu—7: It was most likely his greatest recreation for Fiorentina. Very lively and infrequently hit, including within the first half a save on aim. Very lively within the last third, interspersed continuously, and carried the ball properly. He nonetheless must get a bit stronger and enhance his passing, however he is near rising as a €15m full-back.

Nikola Milinkovic-6.5: He by no means appeared anxious about Lorenzo Colombo and stored the teen inside arm’s attain. I had a bit of extra hassle with Assan Ceesay late on, however all in all it was a really assured efficiency from the massive man.

Igor—6: He was stopped for permitting Di Francesco in simply after the break and booked after being handed in by Colombo within the second half however didn’t commit any additional fouls. He hit possession on the again in opposition to ferocious Lecce stress and actually helped stage the tempo after the break.

Cristiano Biraghi—6: Actually dangerous going ahead within the first half, shedding the ball too simply and jamming his place with Mandragora. I improved a bit within the second half nevertheless it wasn’t actually power in any respect. Alternatively, he handled the deceitful Strefezza a lot better than anticipated.

Sufyan Amrabat—6.5: He was caught a couple of times by the onrushing Giallorossi however was principally superb, scurrying across the engine room and placing out the flames out of possession. He was agency with the ball too, continuously trying to go or push ahead.

Rolando Mandragora—5.5: Seemed off the tempo within the first 45 however settled in on the finish. Milan Badelj’s uniform did as traditional, incapably pushing the ball ahead whereas surprisingly slowed down within the defensive section. Just a bit imprecise.

Nicholas Gonzalez—7: I’d have scored if Antonino Gallo hadn’t performed it for him. He is clearly the menace man all day, profitable over bugs and inflicting mayhem wherever he goes. He has continued his latest development of rising as a extremely inventive central playmaker as properly. Much like Amrabat in some methods in that they’re each brokers of chaos that look horrible to play in opposition to.

Antonin Barak-6.5: He had a really Barack recreation in that he was elegant and stylish however nonetheless marginal. He blends in properly with the others within the last third however does not ask for the ball the way in which the Elite 10 ought to. Fuzzy maybe, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a very helpful cog within the viola machine.

Ricardo Sabonara—6: His candy cross made the goal, however he wasn’t singing. He was misplaced with the ball early on and appeared out of sync along with his teammates. I hold watching him hit the excessive passes all day.

Christian Koama—6: He performed an attention-grabbing position, usually dropping deep and permitting Gonzalez to remain increased. He fought admirably and did not cease working however seemed a bit rusty, holding the ball for too lengthy at instances. There are nonetheless just a few nice moments, particularly that contact to convey down Terracciano’s ball and lay it down for Nico. Useful at worst.

Arthur Cabral—5: He accused in his candy manner and made himself a nuisance. He had two half possibilities that he could not end, however he clearly feared Lecce’s protection in a manner that Kwame did not.

Ricardo Sutil—4.5: Exhibiting nearly instantly that his athleticism remains to be high notch, he dusted off Valentin Gendry, darting ahead continuously on the ball. The issue was that he by no means discovered what to do when he acquired near the opponent’s aim, despite the fact that he would get well that with further minutes. Simply should be affected person.

Giacomo Bonaventura—5.5: He fired a howitzer that Vladimiro Falcone needed to level at hazard and appeared energized in his restricted minutes.

Alfred Duncan—5: As at all times, it sounded extra like a hammer than a harbinger. Stroll round and ensure Fiorentina completed the sport with minimal fuss.

Jonathan Iconi—4.5: He didn’t take part a lot throughout his quick cameo.

1. Fiorentina is now the primary defence. Vincenzo Italiano drew reward final yr for his high-octane speedy passing system that took Serie A by storm. After the lack of Dusan Vlahović, the targets dried up through the second half, and this yr the drought has continued. Though Arthur Cabral’s progress offered some much-needed ending touches, it is not the staple.

No, that might be the protection. Viola have conceded 5 targets of their previous 9 matches (0.56 targets per recreation), preserving 5 clear sheets within the course of. Evaluate that to their earlier 32 video games, the place they conceded 36 video games (1.13 targets per recreation) and stored 7 clear sheets. Italiano and these gamers deserve monumental recognition as they’ve develop into one of many strongest groups in Serie A after coming into the yr described as an attacking juggernaut.

2. Profitable with out scoring mark. That is the sort of recreation Viola has been caught with for years. With Pantaleo Corvino and Sandro Mencucci on the helm of Lecce, with compatriot Florentine Marco Baroni within the dugout, an emotional win and a string of positive performances, and managing the group in an enormous manner, I used to be midway there anticipating a loss right here.

It nearly was. Fiorentina constructed up just a few unseemly strikes however did not put Falcon below an excessive amount of stress as a result of Salentini pressed them very well. Nonetheless, the ball someway ended up within the internet and the great guys acquired the win. I do not need to learn an excessive amount of into one recreation, as a result of that is not how any of this works, however this feels just like the icing on the cake of a latest development: even after they’re not at their greatest, Viola can nonetheless get wins. It has been a very long time since this membership has managed this constantly.

3. This appears like a system relatively than a gaggle of people. For years, Fiorentina’s recreation was lower than the sum of its components. The recruiting division deserves a few of the blame, because it picks up gamers who do not slot in with the remainder of the squad (eg Franck Ribéry, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Jose Callejon, Aleksandar Kokorin, Matia Nastasic). The end result was gifted people with incompatible enjoying kinds. A part of it’s undoubtedly on the coaches too, as a result of they’ve been very strict about altering their strategy to suit the gamers on the roster.

A part of it, although, was a pervasive tradition of mediocrity. The nice gamers know they are going to be purchased quickly sufficient and all they should do is carry out properly sufficient to get somebody’s consideration, whereas the mediocre gamers are joyful to be there. It is a recipe for a disjointed roster full of men who aren’t keen to sacrifice something for the great of the group.

Now, although, Italiano (with some assist from Pradè/Barone) has discovered a system that will get the perfect out of his gamers. Cleats can rip and wreak havoc with out having to discover a breakthrough go ahead as a result of Mandragora is there to do it with out sprinting too far. Biraghi can transfer ahead understanding that Mandragora and his speedy midfield will cowl him. Gonzalez can run excessive as a result of Saponara or Ikoné drop deep on the opposite aspect. There may be steadiness, and everyone seems to be allowed to play to their strengths.