RICCARDO SAPONARA NEWS

Takes one shot in Empoli tilt Saponara (back) had one off-target shot, one cross (zero accurate), and two clearances in 23 minutes in Saturday's 2-1 win over Empoli.

Impact Saponara was moderately active off the bench after skipping two tilts due to a back problem. He'll have better chances of starting against Roma since Ondrej Duda is suspended and Michael Folorunsho left with an injury in this one. He has posted three crosses (zero accurate), one tackle, and two off-target shots in his last four games.

JANUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Among substitutes Saturday Saponara (back) is among the substitutes for Saturday's match against Empoli.

Impact Saponara returns as expected from a back injury which kept him out of Verona's last two matches. The attacker is available from the bench having started just two matches all season.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Fit for Empoli game Saponara (back) "practiced in the last three days and will be an option Saturday; we'll see whether from the start or off the bench," coach Marco Baroni announced.

Impact Saponara has healed up from some back pain and, even if he doesn't get the nod, is a safe bet to see minutes since Darko Lazovic is missing and Jordi Mboula is the only other pure option on the left wing. He has posted two off-target shots, two inaccurate crosses, and one tackle (one won) in his last four appearances (one start).

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Out against Inter Saponara hasn't been called up for Saturday's clash with Inter due to back pain, Verona relayed.

Impact Saponara was a late call according to the coach, but he'll miss out because of the problem. Darko Lazovic and Jordi Mboula will be the top options on the left wing sans him.

JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Unused in Lazio contest Saponara didn't feature in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Lazio.

Impact Saponara returned from a brief absence but didn't get minutes, as, despite a recent tactical change, Cyril Ngonge, Tomas Suslov, Darko Lazovic, and Jordi Mboula are ahead of him in the pecking order on the wings.

DECEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available off bench Saponara (undisclosed) is available off the bench to face Lazio on Saturday.

Impact The veteran playmaker returns from a one-game absence and will be an option off the bench, though he doesn't carry a lot of fantasy upside due to the nature of his bench role. Saponara has made just one start this season and is yet to record a goal contribution in 2023/24.

DECEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fit for Lazio fixture Saponara (undisclosed) will be selected for Saturday's game versus Lazio, coach Marco Baroni relayed.

Impact Saponara was out last week, but his problem wasn't too bothersome, and he'll resume providing depth in multiple offensive roles. He has started just once in the last couple of months and has notched two shots (one on target), two chances created, and four crosses (one accurate) in his last six appearances.

DECEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailablea against Udinese Saponara has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus Udinese due to a late physical problem, Verona relayed.

Impact Saponara will take some tests to evaluate the severity of the problem after the match. He has seen limited minutes in recent weeks, with Darko Lazovic and Jorda Mboula routinely playing over him.

DECEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unused against Verona Saponara (ankle) didn't play in Monday's 0-0 draw with Verona.

Impact Saponare recovered from an ankle problem, but the coach seems to have settled on Cyril Ngonge, Federico Bonazzoli, and Milan Djuric as his top offensive options and used one fewer attacking midfielder in this one, which will limit his opportunities to feature going forward.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Expected back for Bologna game Saponara (ankle) has recovered during the break, Tuttomercatoweb informs.

Impact Saponara sat out the last game due to a minor ankle sprain. He'll be in contention with Jordi Mboula, Michael Folorunsho, and Darko Lazovic, but he didn't start even if fully healthy in the first two games. He logged one off-target shot in 23 minutes off the bench in his two cameos.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Sassuolo game Saponara hasn't been called up for Friday's match against Sassuolo due to an ankle sprain, Sky Italy reports.

Impact Saponara won't be available for this one but is expected to recover during the break because the injury isn't significant. One among Michael Folorunsho, Federico Bonazzoli, and Jordi Mboula will join Cyril Ngonge in a supporting role.

AUGUST 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with Verona Saponara has agreed to a one-year contract with an option with Verona, the team announced.

Impact Saponara left Fiorentina as a free agent at the end of June but found another home in Serie A relatively quickly. He'll provide veteran depth in multiple offensive roles and the midfield. He was serviceable in a rotational role last season, tallying four goals, three assists, 37 shots (14 on target), and 20 chances created in 29 appearances (14 starts).

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores and assists against Sassuolo Saponara scored one goal and assisted once from one shot and one chance created in 17 minutes in Friday's 3-1 victory versus Sassuolo.

Impact Saponara was great off the bench, as he curled it home from distance to give his team the lead back and set up Nicolas Gonzalez with a good-looking cross. He has mostly had a super-sub role this campaign and finished with four goals, three assists, 37 shots (14 on target), and 20 chances created in 29 appearances (14 starts). His contract runs out in June.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available midweek Saponara (thigh) was an unused sub in Wednesday's Coppa Italia final versus Inter.

Impact Saponara avoided relevant physical problems after bowing out early in the past game and will be an option in the two remaining fixtures. He usually competes for minutes with Jonathan Ikone, Riccardo Sottil, and Josip Brekalo. He has scored once and tallied five shots (two on target), three chances created, and seven crosses (one accurate) in his last five appearances.

MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Forced off in Torino match Saponara sent in three crosses, created one scoring chance, and took one off-target shot before leaving Sunday's 1-1 draw with Torino at the 65th minute due to an adductor problem,...

Impact Saponara got the start as the coach rotated almost his whole XI and was fairly active, but he clutched his leg after a sprint and couldn't continue. He was filling in for Nicolas Gonzalez, who was outright spared, and was substituted by Josip Brekalo.

MAY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in win Saponara scored from his only shot and attempted three crosses in Sunday's 3-2 loss against Monza.

Impact Despite his goal, he was taken off after 59 minutes and has failed to complete a full match all season. His goal ups his tally to three for the campaign.

APRIL 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Attempts six shots Saponara generated six shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 1-0 victory versus Lecce.

Impact Saponara's shot activity was surprising, considering he attempted only two shots across his previous four appearances. Though unlikely to maintain a consistently strong output of shots moving forward, his latest log is promising heading into a league-wide respite.

MARCH 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nets goal Saponara scored one goal to go with four shots (one on target) in Sunday's 2-1 defeat versus Bologna.

Impact Saponara scored Fiorentina's only goal against Bologna on Sunday. He is the backup for Christian Kouame but with his poor form of late, the Italian has knotted in some minutes on the pitch in recent matches. He has scored two goals in the last four matches with two starts in that span.

FEBRUARY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Three shots off bench versus Lazio Saponara had three shots (two on target), made two clearances and was shown a yellow card during Sunday's 1-1 draw against Lazio.

Impact Saponara was brought at halftime to replace Christian Kouame and was very active on the attacking end, being one of the biggest reasons why his side dominated the opposition during the second half. His three shots attempted got him tied for a team high and the attacker certainly put himself in position to fight for a starting spot at Sunday's home clash against Bologna.

JANUARY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Creates one chance against Torino Saponara (ankle) had one cross and one tackle (zero won), created one scoring chance, and drew one foul in 54 minutes in Saturday's 0-1 loss to Torino.

Impact Saponara got the nod after missing one game, but he wasn't particularly effective. He'll split time with Luka Jovic until Nicolas Gonzalez is ready to start. He has scored once and posted three shots (two on target), three chances created, and four crosses (two accurate) in the last three appearances.

JANUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available versus Torino Saponara (ankle) has been called up for Saturday's game against Torino, Fiorentina announced.

Impact Saponara had to miss the previous fixture after tweaking his ankle, but the problem wasn't too serious. He has scored and assisted once in the last four matches, tallying six shots (two on target), four chances created, and five crosses (two accurate). However, his playing time will likely take a hit with Nicolas Gonzalez now back in the fold.

JANUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Roma bout Saponara (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's match versus Roma, Fiorentina relay.

Impact Saponara suffered an ankle problem in practice during the week and will sit the second consecutive contest because of it. Christian Kouame and Nicolas Gonzalez will be top options for the left wing in this one.

JANUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up ankle problem Saponara has been ruled out for Thursday's Coppa Italia match against Sampdoria due to an ankle sprain, Ansa reports.

Impact Saponara is undergoing tests to determine whether the issue will cost him time in league play as well. He has featured more with Nicolas Gonzalez on the mend for a long time, but the starter recently returned from injury.

JANUARY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores off the bench Saponara scored one goal to go with two shots (two on goal), two crosses (two accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Sassuolo.

Impact Saponara bagged his first goal of the season by getting Fiorentina on the board just after the start of the second half. He typically starts off the bench, with just five starts in 14 appearances. In that span, the Italian has totaled a goal, two assists 16 crosses (five accurate) and 11 chances created on the season.

JANUARY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assists as substitute Saponara assisted one goal from two chances created and took two off-target shots in 27 minutes during Wednesday's 2-1 win over Salernitana.

Impact Saponara subbed on in the second half and assisted Luka Jovic's winner in the 81st minute to help his side earn three points at home. That was his second assist in the season so far. The forward has mostly played as substitute, starting in only three of his 11 appearances.

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE