Cup specialists Fiorentina return to Serie A duty on Sunday evening, when victory for the Viola at Stadio Arechi would see Salernitana's relegation all but confirmed.
Despite enjoying deep runs in knockout competitions, the visitors seem set for a mid-table finish in the Italian top flight; meanwhile, their hosts are surely on borrowed time, sitting some 13 points adrift of safety.
Match preview
© Reuters
Although their struggles in the final third continued for the first 90 minutes of their Europa Conference League quarter-final on Thursday, Fiorentina ultimately edged through to the semis by beating 10-man Viktoria Plzen 2-0 after extra time.
After another barren performance at Stadio Franchi, perhaps the fear of penalties brought about a breakthrough, as Nico Gonzalez lashed home the first goal of a two-legged tie just two minutes after play resumed; captain Cristiano Biraghi later sealed the deal by finishing off a quick counter.
The Viola are also leading Atalanta BC 1-0 in their Coppa Italia tie, which will be concluded next week, so departing coach Vincenzo Italiano could yet lead his team to two finals for the second straight season - they were beaten in both last year.
First, though, he must try to steer Fiorentina towards a top-half finish in Serie A, where their results in 2024 have left European qualification through league position an unlikely prospect with six games to go.
A recent 1-1 home draw with Genoa left the Tuscan club 10th in the table, with Jonathan Ikone's equalising goal being their 13th headed finish in the league this season - no other team has scored more.
During a disappointing second half of the campaign, Italiano's men have gleaned only 11 points from 12 matches, and having won only one of their last 10 away from home - and none since December - even beating Serie A's rock-bottom side may not prove straightforward on Sunday.
© Reuters
Though they suffered a 3-0 defeat in December's reverse fixture, Salernitana have never lost at home to Fiorentina in Serie A, after four previous meetings in Calcio's top tier.
However, the Granata will step out at Stadio Arechi sitting at least 13 points shy of safety and are almost certainly heading back down to Serie B sooner rather than later - particularly as fellow strugglers Empoli upset Napoli on Saturday.
Their fourth head coach of a dismal campaign, Stefano Colantuono oversaw a 4-1 thumping by Lazio last time out, and the Campanian club have picked up just one point from their last five fixtures.
Rubbing salt into the wound, that defeat in the capital brought about a new club record for Serie A matches without a win - 14, of which they have lost 11.
That leaves Colantuono's downtrodden troops doomed to their fate, but they will want to put on a show for their long-suffering fans against faltering Fiorentina, who are burdened by a hectic schedule.
Team News
© Reuters
After travelling south to Salerno, a quick turnaround awaits Fiorentina, who must then head north to Bergamo for the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final against Atalanta; therefore, Vincenzo Italiano will rotate his side on Sunday.
Giacomo Bonaventura, Andrea Belotti, Lucas Beltran and M'Bala Nzola may all be absent at Stadio Arechi, with Michael Kayode, Riccardo Sottil and Lucas Martinez Quarta among several players contending for promotion from the bench.
Meanwhile, Lassana Coulibaly will be absent for Salernitana, due to suspension; Norbert Gyomber, Kostas Manolas, Jerome Boateng, Guilio Maggiore and Grigoris Kastanos ruled out by injury, so Mateusz Legowski may be called upon to feature in midfield and Federico Fazio in defence.
Though Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa recently returned to fitness, Benoit Costil should retain his place between the posts.
Another veteran, Antonio Candreva, has set up 11 goals against Fiorentina across his long Serie A career - the most assists against one team in Italy's top flight over the past 20 years.
Salernitana possible starting lineup:
Costil; Pierozzi, Fazio, Pirola; Zanoli, Legowski, Martegani, Bradaric; Tchaouna, Candreva; Ikwuemesi
Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
Terracciano; Kayode, Martinez Quarta, Ranieri, Parisi; Duncan, Lopez; Ikone, Barak, Sottil; Kouame
We say: Salernitana 1-1 Fiorentina
No Serie A side has scored fewer away goals than Fiorentina in 2024, and only one has earned fewer points on the road. While Salernitana are so often shoddy at the back, the Viola may not be best placed to capitalise - particularly with one eye on an upcoming cup semi-final.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
