In the initial three matches, Pioli partnered the striker with Gudmundsson, Piccoli, and Dzeko. Now, his thoughts turn to the former Empoli player.
Having shaken off a fever in just 24 hours, Moise Kean now faces the challenge of breaking his scoring drought. His hunger for goals could be the crucial spark needed to propel Fiorentina`s season forward. A glance at the Serie A top scorers list, conspicuously missing the name of last season`s prolific scorer, immediately highlights the Viola`s urgent need for Kean to rediscover his formidable form. Not only does he need to find the net, but the team must also create more opportunities and improve their aim, as Kean has yet to register a shot on target in three Serie A matches. Fiorentina has consistently relied on the seemingly indispensable striker, who has played all 270 minutes across the first three fixtures. Meanwhile, other forwards have rotated alongside him, each seeking the optimal partnership to both elevate his performance and shine themselves, playing in tandem with him.
Constantly Varied
Therefore, the search for the ideal partner for the central striker continues. There`s no shortage of options, as evidenced by the first three league matches where Kean has consistently played alongside different teammates. Against Cagliari, Gudmundsson started with the Italian striker (later replaced by Fazzini for the final 15 minutes). Piccoli, who hadn`t yet arrived at the club, quickly got his opportunity in the away game against Torino. The former Cagliari player was substituted in the 31st minute of the second half, making way for Dzeko. Finally, last Saturday against Napoli, the Bosnian started but was replaced by Piccoli at halftime. So, what about the upcoming match against Como? This is the major question as the team prepares for next Sunday`s challenge. If it were Jacopo Fazzini`s turn in a 3-5-1-1 formation, it would mark the fourth consecutive match where Stefano Pioli has altered the lineup, seeking the most effective solution to boost the team`s goal tally, which so far has only come from Mandragora and Ranieri. The possibility of Fazzini playing alongside Gudmundsson, who has recovered and will be available, or a rotation between the two, cannot be ruled out.
Jacopo`s Moment Has Arrived
However, the player generating the most interest right now is undoubtedly Jacopo Fazzini. He can inject unpredictability, interchange his mezzala position with either Fagioli or Mandragora, thereby creating space for Kean, both in ball progression and freeing him up for attacking plays. Furthermore, having speed and agility in the attacking third could be a valuable asset, especially against Como, a team known for playing the ball on the ground. Unlocking Kean`s scoring potential is undeniably the crucial next step. Last season, Kean`s personal performance in the first three Serie A matches wasn`t significantly different from his current output; he scored a goal against Monza in the third league game and then again in the fourth, against Atalanta. In the Conference League, he had already netted once in both the home and away legs against Puskas Akademia. However, his true breakthrough began in late October when he found consistent form, ultimately reaching 19 goals in Serie A and 25 goals across all competitions.
