Three to Watch: Chiesa and Bernardeschi light up Viola attack

Roma battle Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday evening.

Undefeated in their last five, and having scored at least two goals in nine of their last 11 matches, Paulo Sousa’s Fiorentina prove a perilous threat.

In the first leg in September it was the Viola who came away as the winners – albeit despite a generally dominant performance from the Giallorossi - and our columnist believes these three players will be hoping to help their side to a repeat success…

Federico Bernardeschi

A centrepiece of the Gigliati’s play, the Carrara-born man has emerged as one of the brightest players of his generation.

Having already made 30 appearances between all competitions, the attacking midfielder is now typically positioned in the centre of the pitch, after having made most starts as a right-wing forward earlier in his career.

A forward-thinking player who avidly seeks out the ball, Bernardeschi can take his opponent one-on-one, but also likes to spread play to his teammates. Out of 421 completed passes this season, 65% have been forward passes, proving the player’s determination to drive the attack.

Just as Michelangelo used stone from Carrara’s quarries to create some of his finest works, so too will be one of the town’s modern icons be hoping he can continue his recent form and establish his own growing reputation.

Milan Badelj

The counterbalance of the midfield, this is Badelj’s third season in Tuscany’s capital.

The Croation has been phenomenal in distributing the ball for his side so far this season, having made 991 passes with a completion rate of 87% – of which 73% were forward passes. He has further aided his team by scoring two goals, and having created over 15 scoring chances.

The centre-midfielder has also been dogged in defence – completing an average of three tackle, and two-and-a-half interceptions per match.

In September, when these sides met in the reverse fixture, it was Badelj who scored the game’s only goal to claim all three points. In such form, the player will be plotting for another knockout punch come Tuesday night.

Federico Chiesa

The new kid on the block for the Viola, the striker is the son of the great Enrico Chiesa. Showing all signs of following in his father’s footsteps – if not surpassing them – the youngster is flourishing, and quickly marking himself out as someone all defences should be taking notice of.

The 19-year-old has earned ten starts across all competitions so far in his breakout campaign, making nine more appearances from the bench.

His two goals and assist in Serie A came during critical matches – from scoring in the draw against Genoa at the end of last month, to assisting Kalinic in the win over Sassuolo.

Shown great faith by manager Sousa, and already emerging as a new hero for the club where his father enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career, Chiesa will surely keep developing and prove he is one of the top prospects in the league.