Brescia vs Genoa
Stadio Mario Rigamonti, Brescia
Saturday, 27-06-2020 @6:15pm
Ref: Massimiliano Irrati
This is a relegation six-pointer, as although Brescia may well be beyond saving, Genoa are tantalisingly within reach of several other strugglers.
Brescia aren’t done and dusted yet, as seen by their 1-1 draw with Fiorentina after the lockdown, but it could be too late considering they are already nine points off safety. Mario Balotelli is working towards a return, but a long way off fitness, while Dimitri Bisoli, Andrea Cistana and Jhon Chancellor are still injured.
Genoa were hammered 4-1 by Parma in their first game back since the lockdown, Andreas Cornelius scoring a hat-trick, and lost captain Domenico Criscito to injury in the process. Changes are expected, with Iago Falque, Antonio Barreca and Toni Sanabria stepping in.
Brescia have not beaten Genoa in Serie A since February 1947, followed by three draws and four defeats.
Cagliari vs Torino
Serdgena Arena, Cagliari
Saturday, 27-06-2020 @8:30pm
Ref: Maurizio Marinai
There are only four points separating these teams, as Cagliari and Torino are both trying to consolidate their mid-table status and build for the future under new coaches.
Walter Zenga finally made his debut on the Sardinian bench after replacing Rolando Maran, overseeing a 2-1 defeat at Hellas Verona and last-gasp 1-0 win away to SPAL. That result was a huge boost to end a 12-round winless run, even if they lost Fabio Pisacane for several weeks to fractured ribs. Radja Nainggolan should be back at least for a spot on the bench, while it’s a guessing game who will start in goal, as Zenga seems to be rotating Alessio Cragno and Robin Olsen.
Torino ended their negative streak as well with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Udinese, which propelled them further away from the danger zone. Andrea Belotti came to the rescue with a powerful strike, but Simone Edera is making a big difference in Moreno Longo’s adjusted tactics.
The Granata have lost their last four away fixtures, so this could become their worst run since seven in 2009.
Cagliari haven’t beaten Torino in Serie A since November 2013, managing just four draws and six defeats.
Lazio vs Fiorentina
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Saturday, 27-06-2020
Ref: Michael Fabbri
Lazio’s Scudetto dreams were dented by the dramatic defeat to Atalanta, which ended their 21-round unbeaten run, and now they face another tricky test with decimated Fiorentina.
Neither side came back from the lockdown the way they wanted to, as Simone Inzaghi’s men threw away a 2-0 lead in their 3-2 loss to Atalanta and fell four points behind Serie A leaders Juventus, while the Viola were held to a 1-1 draw by Brescia.
After Juve beat Lecce 4-0 on Friday, the Capital club now sit seven points of the pace and can not afford anymore slip ups.
That stalemate was extra damaging, because now Federico Chiesa, Martin Caceres and coach Beppe Iachini are all suspended. It means Patrick Cutrone and Dusan Vlahovic are battling to join Franck Ribery upfront in a more streamlined 3-5-2 formation, axing last week’s trident attack.
Lazio have quite a few selection problems too, as Danilo Cataldi has joined Lucas Leiva, Senad Lulic, Luiz Felipe, Adam Marusic and Bobby Adekanye on the treatment table. Bastos is the favourite to start in defence rather than Patric this time, while Felipe Caicedo should partner Ciro Immobile instead of Joaquin Correa.
Since the 4-2 win here in May 2016, Fiorentina have left the Olimpico with one draw and three defeats between Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
The Serie A upcoming fixtures and results
Sunday, 28-06-2020
-AC Milan vs AS Roma @6:15pm
-Udinese vs Atalanta @8:30pm
-Sampdoria vs Bologna @8:30pm
-Sasoulo vs Hellas Verona @8:30pm
-Napoli vs SPAL @8:30pm
-Parma vs Inter Milan @10:45pm
Friday, 26-06-2020
-Juventus 4-0 Lecce
