Fiorentina vs Empoli – probable line-ups: Viola return after Bove health scare | OneFootball

Fiorentina return to action this evening in a Coppa Italia Round of 16 tie against Empoli, just three days after Edoardo Bove’s collapse on the pitch.

Fiorentina host Empoli at the Artemio Franchi this evening. It’s the first match since Bove’s health scare on Sunday.

The Italian midfielder is still in intensive care at Careggi Hospital but has been awake and alert since Monday. Fiorentina were willing to postpone this evening’s fixture, but the 22-year-old reportedly convinced his teammates to play the match.

Edoardo Bove of ACF Fiorentina in action during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League match between ACF Fiorentina and Pafos FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on November 28, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Coach Raffaele Palladino is expected to rotate his squad, resting Moise Kean and David De Gea. Rolando Mandragora is serving a one-match ban.

Some regular Empoli starters, including goalkeeper Davis Vasquez and left wing-back Giuseppe Pezzella, will also rest at the Franchi this evening.

The match will kick off at 21:00 CET (19:00 GMT).

The winner will face Juventus or Cagliari in the quarter-finals.

Milan and Bologna were the first teams to qualify for the next round, beating Sassuolo and Monza, respectively.

Fiorentina vs Empoli – probable line-ups

Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): Terracciano; Dodo, Pongracic, Comuzzo, Parisi; Mandragora, Martinez Quarta; Ikone, Beltran, Sottil; Kouame.

Empoli (3-4-2-1): Seghetti; Tosto, Ismajli, Mariannucci; Sambia, Henderson, Maleh, Cacace, Ekong, Esposito, Colombo.