Fiorentina vs Benevento

"This fixture marks the highly anticipated competitive debut of Fabio Grosso as head coach of Fiorentina, following his appointment in June 2026. The former World Cup winner took over a squad seeking serious redemption after a disastrous 2025/2026 Serie A campaign that saw them finish in a dismal 15th place. Grosso's arrival has injected fresh optimism into Florence, and this Coppa Italia Round of 64 tie at the Stadio Artemio Franchi provides the perfect platform to establish a positive tactical identity. Under Grosso, Fiorentina are expected to pivot toward a high-intensity, possession-based approach, utilizing the technical quality of their midfield to choke out opponents and dictate the tempo from the opening whistle. Benevento, meanwhile, enter this clash riding a wave of momentum. Under the stewardship of Antonio Floro Flores, the Giallorossi comfortably won the Serie C Group C title last season to secure their return to Serie B. Their competitive campaign is already underway, having defeated Ravenna in a high-scoring 5-3 thriller in the cup's preliminary round. While Benevento's attacking flair has been on full display, their defensive vulnerability in conceding three goals to lower-tier opposition raises red flags as they prepare to face a clinical top-flight opponent. Floro Flores is likely to adopt a pragmatically defensive posture, setting up a deep block to minimize space and rely on rapid counter-attacks led by striker Francesco Salvemini. Tactically, the gulf in class should dictate the flow of the match. Fiorentina showed encouraging signs during pre-season, securing a 1-0 win against Watford and holding Real Madrid to a respectable 2-2 draw. Their defensive structure looks far more cohesive under Grosso's guidance, which bodes ill for a Benevento side that will find chances hard to come by. With an expected home possession rate exceeding 58% and a projected xG of 1.85 compared to Benevento's 0.95, the Viola are tipped to dominate. Expect Fiorentina to secure a professional, clean-sheet 2-0 victory, controlling the transition phases and capitalizing on their superior squad depth to advance smoothly to the next round."