Roma Edge Fiorentina in Serie A Showdown at Florence – Line‑ups, Form & Stats

Roma Edge Fiorentina in Serie A Showdown at Florence – Line‑ups, Form & Stats

When Serie A Round 6: Fiorentina vs RomaStadio Artemio Franchi kicked off at 14:00 local time on October 5, 2025, the stakes felt higher than a weekend derby. Both coaches stuck to a 3‑4‑2‑1 shape, a tactical gamble that promised wing‑backs to flood the flanks while a lone striker hunted the final ball. The referee for the encounter was Andrea Colombo, seasoned Serie A official who’s been on the whistle for over 150 top‑flight games.

Confirmed Line‑ups and Tactical Blueprint

Fiorentina rolled out a back three of Marin Pongracic, Pablo Mari and captain Luca Ranieri. In goal, they continued the surprise experiment with David De Gea between the sticks – a move that raised eyebrows after his summer loan from Manchester United. Right wing‑back Dodo and left‑side veteran Robin Gosens were tasked with providing width. Central midfield was anchored by Rolando Mandragora and the young Hans Nicolussi Caviglia. Ahead of them, attacking midfielders Jacopo Fazzini and Albert Gudmundsson supported lone striker Moise Kean.

Roma, on the other side, started Mile Svilar in goal. Their defensive line comprised Zeki Celik, centre‑back Gianluca Mancini and the towering Evan N'Dicka. Wing‑backs Wesley on the right and Konstantinos Tsimikas on the left were expected to push high. Mid‑field partnership saw the experienced Bryan Cristante paired with the dynamic Manu Koné. Up front, the duo of Matias Soulé and Tommaso Baldanzi supplied the striker Artem Dovbyk.

Injury List and Squad Depth

Both sides entered the match with notable absences. Fiorentina were missing winger Tariq Lamptey, midfielder Simon Sohm and forward Christian Kouamé, all sidelined by various injuries. The Florentines’ bench was deeper than it looked, featuring backup keeper Tommaso Martinelli, versatile defender Fabiano Parisi, and attacking options like Edin Džeko for a late cameo.

Roma, meanwhile, were without the likes of Edoardo Bove, left‑back Angelino and pace‑sterling Leon Bailey. Their bench still packed talent: winger Pietro Comuzzo, midfield engine Cheick Ndour and striking option Roberto Piccoli.

Form Guide: Recent Performances and Statistics

Fiorentina’s last five games have been a carousel of draws and defeats. They held Pisa (0‑0, 28 Sept) and Torino (0‑0, 31 Aug) to stalemates, scraped a 1‑1 with Cagliari (24 Aug) but fell 2‑1 to Como (21 Sept) and 3‑1 at Napoli (13 Sept). The side averages 8.5 corners per game in the last ten contests, and their possession hovers around 54.5 % overall – yet drops to 45.1 % when they play at home.

Roma, by contrast, have been ticking boxes. Wins over Verona (2‑0, 28 Sept), Lazio (1‑0, 21 Sept), Pisa (1‑0, 30 Aug) and Bologna (1‑0, 23 Aug) have boosted confidence, though they slipped 1‑0 to Torino (14 Sept). Their average possession sits at 52.4 % across the last ten matches and 52.7 % away, indicating a slightly more balanced approach than the Viola. In terms of set‑piece threat, Roma generate just under nine corners per game.

Scoring charts show Fiorentina’s top marksman this campaign is midfielder Rolando Mandragora with two goals, while captain Ranieri has chipped in once. Albert Gudmundsson leads assists with a solitary yet crucial delivery. Roma’s attack is led by Dovbyk, who has already found the net twice, and the midfield duo of Cristante and Koné have combined for three assists between them.

Head‑to‑Head History and What It Means

The historical ledger heavily favours the Giallorossi. Out of 36 Serie A meetings, Roma have won 19, Fiorentina 10 and 7 have ended level. The last encounter in January 2025 ended 2‑1 to Roma after a late penalty. That pattern suggests a psychological edge, but the 3‑4‑2‑1 system could level the playing field if either side exploits the space behind the wing‑backs.

Match Outlook: Key Battles and Possible Scenarios

The most compelling duel will be in midfield. Mandragora’s late runs versus Cristante’s passing range could dictate who controls the tempo. On the flanks, Dodo’s speed against Wesley’s overlapping runs will test the full‑back chemistry. If Fiorentina manage to press high, Svilar might be forced into making early saves; conversely, Roma’s compact back three could make it tough for Kean to find room.

Given Roma’s recent unbeaten streak, a win would see them solidify a top‑four push, while Fiorentina would need a positive result to climb out of the lower mid‑table. Betting odds currently sit at 2.10 for a Roma victory, 3.30 for a draw and 3.80 for Fiorentina – numbers that reflect Roma’s form but also the uncertainty introduced by missing key attackers.

Key Facts

• Match: Serie A Round 6 – Fiorentina vs Roma
• Date & Time: 05 Oct 2025, 14:00 CET
• Venue: Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence
• Referee: Andrea Colombo
• Form: Roma 4‑1‑0 in last five, Fiorentina 0‑3‑2

What Comes Next?

After the 90 minutes, all eyes will turn to the next round of fixtures. Fiorentina face Lazio on 12 Oct, a chance to bounce back if they can snatch points here. Roma travel to Genoa on 14 Oct, where a win could push them into the top three for the first time this season. Coaches are already looking ahead, tweaking their squads based on the lessons learned from this tactical showdown.