FIORENTINA NEWS

Lucas Martinez - First career assist Martinez Quarta assisted once to go with four shots (two on goal) and two chances created in Wednesday's 1-1 draw versus Monza.

Impact Martinez notched in his first career assist with the club to help give Fiorentina the early lead on Wednesday. He returned to the lineup after not featuring in the last two matches before the winter break. The 26-year-old already has a career high of tackles and tackles won with 49 (27 won) along with a career high of blocks with 12. He is not far from a career high of clearances and interceptions with 44 and 27 thus far.

JANUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Arthur Cabral - Scores opening goal Arthur Cabral scored one goal to go with five shots (three on goal) in Wednesday's 1-1 draw versus Monza.

Impact Cabral got Fiorentina on the board first for his third goal of the year. Two out of the three goals came as a starter with just five starts in 13 appearances. The Brazilian may keep a starting role with his third straight start up top.

JANUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Szymon Zurkowski - Ruled out for Monza clash Zurkowski is absent for Wednesday's fixture versus Monza due to back spasms, Fiorentina announced.

Impact Zurkowski requested to leave to play more, coach Vincenzo Italiano admitted in the pre-game presser, and he could be held out until that happens to avoid injuries. He has been a non-factor so far, playing just 30 minutes across two appearances.

JANUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pierluigi Gollini - Unavailable against Monza Gollini (back) has been ruled out for Wednesday's match versus Monza, Fiorentina announced.

Impact Gollini dealt with the same problem before the break, but he had played in some friendlies. He might not be long for Fiorentina after losing the starting job to Pietro Terracciano, and he could be spared until he transfers. Michele Cerofolini will be the deputy while he's out.

JANUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rolando Mandragora - Ruled out for Monza game Mandragora "won't be available against Monza due to a small rectus femoris problem, which he should be able to shake off in a hurry," coach Vincenzo Italiano announced.

Impact Mandragora pulled a muscle in a recent friendly and will miss some time, although the gaffer was optimistic about a quick recovery. Alfred Duncan or Antonin Barak will take his place in the midfield, while Gaetano Castrovilli will be eased into action.

JANUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Gonzalez - Out for at least two more games Gonzalez (thigh) is expected to return in the second half of January, Corriere dello Sport relays.

Impact Gonzalez was diagnosed with a grade-two thigh strain in mid-November and won't be back before the standard six-to-eight-week timetable. He never trained fully during the World Cup break.

JANUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Riccardo Sottil - Will sit out more matches Sottil (back) is trending in the right direction but needs at least a couple of weeks to be able to play, Corriere dello Sport informs.

Impact Sottil is rehabbing after back surgery to remove a hernia and has yet to resume training fully. He's expected to ramp up in short order and could be available in the second half of January, the publication adds.

JANUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lorenzo Venuti - Returns versus youth team Venuti (thigh) logged some minutes in Friday's friendly versus the U-20 side.

Impact Venuti dealt with a thigh injury earlier in the break, but he was trending in the right direction as of late and he'll be good to go for the early January matches, where he'll generally back up Dodo at right-back. He has featured six times so far (three starts), registering one assist, three chances created, 12 crosses (four accurate), and nine tackles.

DECEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Gonzalez - Unlikely for restart Gonzalez (thigh) has remained sidelined through the break and has yet to go into full training, Ansa informs.

Impact Gonzalez suffered a significant thigh strain as he was preparing for the World Cup and will likely sit out the early January matches to complete the rehab. He has missed considerable time this season, allowing Jonathan Ikone and Christian Kouame to get consistent minutes.

DECEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rolando Mandragora - Picks up thigh problem Mandragora left Friday's scrimmage against the youth team after 20 minutes due to a flexor injury, Ansa reports.

Impact Mandragora couldn't finish the first due to some discomfort and is headed for some tests to determine his availability for next Wednesday's game versus Monza. Alfred Duncan, Gaetano Castrovilli, and Youssef Maleh are the next men up if he had to miss some time.

DECEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lorenzo Venuti - Called up for friendly Venuti (thigh) was part of the squad list but didn't feature in Thursday's friendly versus Lugano, La Nazione reports.

Impact Venuti had to miss some time due to a thigh problem of uncertain nature, but he appears to have overcome it, and he should be able to return to the pitch before the league restarts.

DECEMBER 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gaetano Castrovilli - Appears in friendly Castrovilli (knee) played 15 minutes off the bench and scored in Thursday's friendly versus Lugano, Fiorentina report.

Impact Castrovilli went back into full training in early December and was able to play a few weeks later. He'll join the rotation in the midfield in the second half of the season, although his role is unclear, given a recent schematic change compared to when he was a regular last season. His return could affect Alfred Duncan, Giacomo Bonaventura, and Antonin Barak, but he'll probably make some cameos at first. He posted one goal, one assist, 15 shots (two on target), and 14 chances created in 23 appearances (16 starts) last season before blowing up his knee.

DECEMBER 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sofyan Amrabat - Keeps clean sheet in win Amrabat made three clearances and created a chance in Saturday's 1-0 quarterfinal victory against Portugal.

Impact Amrabat was once again very solid in midfield on Saturday and Morocco have now shut out both Spain and Portugal, not to mention Belgium and Croatia in the group stage, to advance to a semifinal clash against defending World Cup champions France.

DECEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Morocco's tactical masterplan ignites unlikely World Cup run

Morocco has defied expectations and broken down barriers by becoming the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Where does Sofyan Amrabat play? Morocco World Cup star turning heads in Qatar Morocco are just one of a few surprise packages at the World Cup in Qatar. Sofyan Amrabat has been the beating heart of their courageous run...

DECEMBER 10, 2022 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Lorenzo Venuti - Suffers thigh injury Venuti picked up a thigh problem in a friendly versus Arezzo, Gianluca Di Marzio reports.

Impact Venuti practiced on the side following the problem and wasn't called up for the ensuing games versus Rapid Wien and Borussia Dortmund. He'll look to shake it off in the weeks remaining before the next official fixture.

DECEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sofyan Amrabat - Wins four tackles in win Amrabat made a clearance, an interception and won four of four tackles in Tuesday's 0-0 (3-0 after penalties) victory against Spain in the Round of 16.

Impact Amrabat put on a masterclass in defensive midfield for Morocco on Tuesday, largely keeping the likes of Pedri, Gavi and Sergio Busquets quiet as his side downed Spain. He'll be ready for the challenge of doing it again versus Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Portugal in the quarterfinals Saturday.

DECEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sofyan Amrabat - Starting role for Morocco Amrabat played every minute of Morocco's group stage campaign at the World Cup.

Impact Amrabat wracked up five clearances, five interceptions, a block and five tackles won across his three appearances in Morocco's midfield, and he should remain a fixture in the lineup heading into Tuesday's Round of 16 clash against Spain.

DECEMBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Riccardo Sottil - Could miss time after break Sottil "did everything in his power to avoid surgery, and he'll probably need a month and a half to return," his father and Udinese coach Andrea Sottil told Sky Italy.

Impact Sottil was initially given a five-week timetable by Fiorentina after the operation, but he might be back before the end of January, considering he'll have to ramp up in practice before being ready to play, Corriere dello Sport informs.

DECEMBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dodo - Features in friendly Dodo (thigh) came off the bench in Friday's game against Arezzo, Fiorentina informs.

Impact Dodo was forced off early in the last game before the break, but he escaped without serious issues and quickly recovered. He'll look to improve in the second half of the season after needing time to adjust to his surroundings and work on his conditioning following a summer transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk.

DECEMBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gaetano Castrovilli - Nearing return Castrovilli told Ansa that he expected to be ready to play in about 15 days.

Impact Castrovilli had started to ramp up before the World Cup break, but he didn't star in the first friendly once Fiorentina got back to work earlier this week. He should be ready to do so in time for the new year's opener if he avoids setbacks.

DECEMBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Milenkovic - Fills stat sheet against Brazil Milenkovic had one off-target shot and made eight tackles (five won), three clearances, four interceptions and two blocks during Thursday's 2-0 loss against Brazil.

Impact Milenkovic had his hands full against Brazil's powerful offense but at least that allowed him to rack up some impressive numbers as he paced all players in several fantasy categories. Now the center-back will try to help his side getting their first World Cup win during Monday's clash against Cameroon.

NOVEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Riccardo Sottil - Undergoes back surgery Sottil (back) is expected to miss around five weeks while he recovers from a back surgery he underwent on Wednesday, Fiorentina have announced.

Impact Sottil hasn't played since September due to a back injury that he has now opted to operate on. Due to the break for the World Cup, Sottil won't be expected to miss much more game time if any as he recovers from this surgery.

NOVEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Szymon Zurkowski - Plays full match in friendly Zurkowski (undisclosed) played the full 90 during Wednesday's 1-0 friendly win over Chile.

Impact Zurkowski played the full 90 Wednesday against Chile. The midfielder picked up an undisclosed issue before his final match domestically, but is a full inclusion in the national team. Zurkowski could see an immediate role in the starting XI during Tuesday's World Cup opener against Mexico.

NOVEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Milenkovic - Ready for World Cup Milenkovic scored two goals and provided one assist over 11 appearances (nine starts) to open the 2022/23 season, setting him up for a place in Serbia's World Cup squad.

Impact Milenkovic dealt with a small muscular injury in September but has since been a near-lock for the starting lineup in a trend that's continued over the last four seasons. Look for Milenkovic to get some minutes if Milos Veljkovic can't overcome an injury that's hampered him in recent weeks.

NOVEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE