Moise Kean needs one more goal. Just one. And then he enters territory no Italian striker has occupied at Fiorentina since Federico Chiesa five years ago—double figures in a single Serie A season.
After years of unfulfilled promise at Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, and Everton, the 24-year-old has finally found a home at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Nine goals in 15 appearances suggest this might be the campaign where Kean's undoubted talent translates into consistent output.
The Franchi fortress
Fiorentina's home form has been nothing short of remarkable. Unbeaten in 19 matches at their historic stadium—13 wins among them—Raffaele Palladino's side haven't lost in Florence since March. That's the club's best run in sixteen years.
Against Udinese specifically, the numbers are even more emphatic. In two decades since the Friulani returned to the top flight, the Viola have won more games (16) and scored more goals (49) against them than any other opponent at home.
Last week's 1-0 defeat to Bologna at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara ended a club-record eight-match winning streak, but Palladino's men remain above Milan and Juventus in the table—and with a game in hand.
Conference League hangover?
The midweek trip to northern Portugal to face Vitória de Guimarães yielded a 1-1 draw that secured passage to the Conference League last 16. Rolando Mandragora's late equalizer spared Fiorentina's blushes, but fatigue from the December schedule looms large.
Palladino rotated seven players for that fixture, so David de Gea returns between the posts, and Kean should lead the line. The suspension of Dodo forces Michael Kayode into the right-back slot—a change that could unsettle the defensive rhythm.
Udinese's fading promise
What began as a promising season under Kosta Runjaic has deteriorated rapidly. After three wins and a draw from their opening four matches, the Friulani have lost eight of the subsequent twelve—including last week's tepid 3-1 defeat to Napoli.
The Coppa Italia exit to Inter Milan on Thursday, a 2-0 loss in which Udinese barely threatened, compounded the malaise. Runjaic's safety-first approach has stifled creativity, and the goals have dried up: just 1.2 per match across the season.
Lorenzo Lucca remains their most potent attacking threat, with the young striker leading the scoring charts. His partnership with Florian Thauvin—should the French veteran start—represents Udinese's best hope of breaching the Franchi defenses.
Injury woes for the visitors
Udinese's casualty list complicates matters:
- Sandi Lovric – thigh injury sustained vs Napoli
- Oier Zarraga – sidelined for weeks
- Maduka Okoye – first-choice goalkeeper unavailable
- Keinan Davis and Martin Payero – also absent
The depth issues force Runjaic into difficult decisions. Alexis Sanchez made his first appearance of his second Udinese spell against Inter, but whether the 36-year-old can feature twice in four days remains uncertain.
Historical domination
In their last seven Serie A meetings, Fiorentina and Udinese have split the victories 3-3, with one draw. The pattern suggests competitive encounters, though the home team typically prevails.
That 2-2 thriller at the start of 2024 was the last time these sides met in Florence. Both teams have evolved considerably since—Fiorentina upward, Udinese downward.
Kean's moment approaches
All eyes will be on the Italian international as he hunts goal number ten. Having rejected moves away in summer to bet on himself at Fiorentina, Kean has repaid Palladino's faith with performances that blend physical presence, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing.
Against a depleted Udinese defense, the stage is set. The Franchi awaits its hero.
