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Roma v Fiorentina
2021-22 Serie A
Matchday 1
22 August 2021
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
20:45 CAT
All eyes will be on Jose Mourinho when his Roma team open their league season with a home clash against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday 22 August, kick-off at 20:45 CAT. The match is one of 10 spread across 21-23 August in the first Matchday of the
2021-22 Serie A season.
Roma came home in seventh place in last season’s Serie A, with comfortably the worst points haul of the ‘seven sisters’ (the ‘big’ clubs in Italy). In fact, they only stayed ahead of plucky Sassuolo on head-to-heads and goal difference.
The capital city giants responded by bringing Jose Mouriho back to Italy, with the Portuguese manager returning to Serie A for the first time since leading Internazionale to an unprecedented treble in 2009-10.
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The return from injury of Nicolo Zaniolo is a major boost and goes some way to softening the blow of losing striker Edin Dzeko to Inter, with the 22-year-old midfielder hoping to make a big impact: “
I am more and more confident in my means every day, I am well and I am happy. We are a good group and I hope to make a great contribution to the team because I need it and we need it.”
Fiorentina also had a season to forget last time around, ending in a disappointing 13th place. They have seen significant change in their squad, with the likes of Albon Lafont, Borja Valero and Franck Ribery no longer with the club, while Nicolas Gonzalez is their major acquisition.
Yet it is the arrival of Vincenzo Italiano, who helped Spezia survive in Serie A last season, which could be the key to a better future. “This is a fantastic club, a top-level club,” he explained. “I took on this challenge because I believe this is a quality team, with lots of great players who perhaps haven't yet reached their full potential. That's the challenge for me. It's also a challenge with myself to try to achieve something important.”
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In head-to-head stats, Roma and Fiorentina have met in 59 matches across all competitions since 1996. The Giallorossi have claimed 34 wins compared to 11 for La Viola, while 14 games have been drawn.
Roma completed a league ‘double’ over Fiorentina last season, winning 2-0 in Rome in November 2020 and 2-1 in Florence in March 2021. Leonardo Spinazzola struck twice – and scored an own goal – across the two games.
Roma v Fiorentina – Head-to-head
Matches played: 59
Roma wins: 34
Fiorentina wins: 11
Draws: 14
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