Fiorentina vs. Inter Milan | Serie A | Pre Match

After their 1-1 draw in the derby against AC Milan, the Nerazzurri are preparing to return to the pitch on Thursday 6 February, when they will complete their matchday 14 clash against Fiorentina in Serie A. The game, which originally kicked off on 1 December at the Franchi, was halted in the 16th minute of the first half with the score at 0-0 due to a medical emergency. At the Stadio Artemio Franchi, the match will resume from the 17th minute at 20:45 CET.

Fiorentina and Inter have met 172 times in Serie A: the Nerazzurri have 72 wins to their name compared to the Viola's 45, with 55 draws completing the picture. Inter have won six of their last eight Serie A matches against Fiorentina, and they've also emerged victorious from their last four trips to the Franchi. No team in Serie A history has ever won five consecutive away matches against the Viola, making this a potential record-breaking occasion for the Nerazzurri.

Simone Inzaghi's side head into this rearranged match against the Viola in second place on 51 points, three behind league leaders Napoli. Inter haven't tasted defeat in 17 Serie A matches following 13 wins and four draws. In the same period, which started from the weekend of 28/29 September, only three other teams in the top five European leagues have remained unbeaten (Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen and PSG). However, none of these sides have recorded more victories than the Nerazzurri (13 for Liverpool too). Inter, who have the best attack in the Italian top flight, have scored 56 goals, compared to an Expected Goals value of 43. This difference of 13 is the highest among the teams in the top five European leagues this season. So far this season, Inter have scored the most first-half and second-half goals (26 and 30, respectively) across the division, showcasing their dominance from start to finish in matches.

Led by Raffaele Palladino since the start of the season, Fiorentina currently occupy sixth place with 39 points following eleven wins, six draws and five defeats. The Viola have scored 37 and conceded 23. Last month, they played five league matches, losing 3-0 to Napoli and 2-1 to Monza, drawing 1-1 at home to Torino and getting the better of Lazio and Genoa in their two most recent fixtures (two 2-1 victories). Their inconsistent form has kept them in the race for European qualification, but they will need to find greater stability if they want to challenge for a top-four finish. In Europe, meanwhile, Fiorentina are into the round of 16 of the Conference League, where four possible opponents await them: Vikingur, Panathinaikos, FK Borac or Olimpija Ljubljana. Their continental journey has provided a welcome distraction from domestic challenges and given them the belief that they can compete on multiple fronts.

In Palladino's 4-2-3-1 formation, Adli and Mandragora are likely to line up in midfield, with Beltran, Gudmundsson and new signing Zaniolo ready to support Kean. Comuzzo, who is suspended, and Bove are both out. There are doubts about Cataldi, Colpani and Pablo Marì. The Viola's top scorer is Moise Kean, who, together with Thuram, sits second in the Serie A goalscoring charts with 13. Kean has been instrumental in Fiorentina's attacking play, consistently finding the net in crucial moments. His ability to create space and capitalize on defensive lapses will be key against Inter's resolute backline.

Lautaro Martínez has scored seven goals in his last five matches against Fiorentina in all competitions, including three braces. Against no other side has the Argentinian striker scored 2+ goals in a single match on more occasions. The Nerazzurri captain has found the net eight times in 2025, more than any other Serie A player in all competitions. His leadership on and off the pitch has been instrumental in Inter's strong performances this season, and his clinical finishing remains a crucial asset for Inzaghi's squad.

The Tuscan outfit are also Hakan Çalhanoglu's favourite victim in Serie A: the Turk has scored five times in twelve previous encounters with the Viola. His ability to dictate play from midfield, deliver pinpoint set-pieces, and unleash long-range strikes makes him one of Inter's most dangerous assets. With his keen eye for goal and creativity, Çalhanoglu will be one to watch in this crucial encounter.

Quality, substance and strength: Marcus Thuram continues to be an inspirational figure for the Nerazzurri. The Frenchman has bagged 13 times in 23 Serie A appearances this season, equalling a personal record in the top five European leagues. Furthermore, the Inter No.9 is the only player to have surpassed both 25 goals and ten assists in the past two seasons in Serie A. His contribution in both attack and defence continues to be indispensable for Simone Inzaghi. Thuram's ability to link up play, stretch defenses, and finish with precision has made him an essential part of Inter's tactical setup. His energy and work rate ensure that he is always a threat, whether pressing high or leading counter-attacks.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is the outfield player who has played the most minutes for the Nerazzurri this campaign. The Armenian scored his first Serie A goal for Inter against the Tuscan side on 22 October 2022, a particularly sweet memory for him. His experience and versatility make him a key asset in Inzaghi's midfield. With his ability to control the tempo of the game and make intelligent runs into the box, Mkhitaryan provides an added dimension to Inter's attacking play.

He just keeps on growing and has shown all of his character so far this season: Denzel Dumfries continues to be a key player for Simone Inzaghi's side and is truly an extra weapon in attack. The Dutchman has already set a personal record for number of goals in a single Serie A season: six, which currently makes him the most prolific defender in the top five European leagues this season. His surging runs down the flank, defensive solidity, and knack for getting into goal-scoring positions make him an invaluable component of Inter's tactical system. His ability to contribute both defensively and offensively has made him one of the standout performers in Serie A this season.