MILAN – The first time that Milan met Fiorentina on the first round of the Serie A season was on the 20th of September 1931. At the San Siro, the two teams played out a 1-1 draw. Magnozzi opened the scoring for the hosts before Prendato scored the equaliser for the Viola.

The next occasion was two years later, the 10th of September 1933, with the Tuscan side running out 1-0 winners in Florence. Perazzolo was on target for Fiorentina.

Finally, the last time the two sides met on round 1 of the new season was on the 11th of September 1977 in Florence. Rossinelli (Fiorentina) and Calloni (Milan) were on the score-sheet that day in a 1-1 draw.

The opening round offers a real classic of Italian football

MILAN – Let’s have a look at some of the most statistics surrounding Fiorentina e Milan at the Franchi:

FIORENTINA-MILAN, LAST FIVE FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON MEETINGS:

2011/12: Fiorentina-Milan 0-0. 12th round

2006/07: Fiorentina-Milan 2-2. 16th round

2005/06: Fiorentina-Milan 3-1. 12th round

2000/01: Fiorentina-Milan 4-0. 14th round

1999/00: Fiorentina-Milan 3-1. 12th round

FORMER FIORENTINA AND MILAN PLAYERS:

Fiorentina: None

Milan: Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina 2005 to 2012), Alessio Cerci (Fiorentina 2010 to 2012), Alessandro Matri (Fiorentina January to June 2014).

Past players include Manuel Rui Costa (Fiorentina 1994 to 2001 and Milan 2001 to 2006), Roberto Baggio (Fiorentina 1985 to 1990 and Milan 1995 to 1997), Daniele Massaro (Fiorentina 1981 to 1986 and Milan 1986 to 1988 and again 1989 to 1995),Stefano Borgonovo (Fiorentina 1988/89 and then 1990 to 1992. Milan 1989/1990), Maurizio Ganz (Milan January 1998 to 1999 and then Fiorentina 2001/2002),Cristian Brocchi (Milan 2002 to 2005 and then 2006 to 2008 and Fiorentina 2005/2006), Cristian Vieri (Milan 2005/2006 and Fiorentina 2007/2008) Diego Fuser (Milan 1989/1990 and 1991/1992 and Fiorentina 1990/1991), Giuseppe Pancaro (Milan 2003 and 2005 and Fiorentina 2005/2006), Domenico Morfeo (Fiorentina 1997/1998, 1999/2000 and 2001/2002. Milan 1998/1999), Marco Donadel (Milan 2000 to 2002 and Fiorentina 2005 to 2011), the Brazilian Amarildo (Milan 1963 to 1967 and then Fiorentina 1967 to 1970), Pierino Prati (Milan 1967 to 1973 and Fiorentina 1977/78), Luciano Chiarugi (Fiorentina 1965 to 1972 and Milan 1972 to 1976) and Aldo Maldera (Milan 1971/1972 and 1973 to 1982. Fiorentina 1985-1987).

Fatih Terim (Fiorentina 2000/2001 and Milan 2001/2002).

HISTORIC MATCH:

Fiorentina-Milan 3-7. 1992/1993. 5 round. Goals: 14′ Baiano, 25′ and 45′ Massaro, 34′ Lentini I, 42′ and 87′ Gullit, 48′ Effenberg, 79′, 92′ Van Basten, 90′ Di Mauro:

FIORENTINA: Mannini, Carnasciali, Carobbi, Di Mauro, Faccenda, Verga, Effenberg, Laudrup, Batistuta, Orlando, Baiano – Coach: Radice

MILAN: Antonioli (46′ S. Rossi), Tassotti, P. Maldini, Albertini (57′ Evani), Costacurta, Baresi II, Lentini I, Rijkaard, Van Basten, Gullit, Massaro – Coach.: Capello

LAST FIVE SERIE A HOME MATCHES FOR FIORENTINA:

2014/15, 38th round: Fiorentina-Chievo 3-0

2014/15, 36th round: Fiorentina-Parma 3-0

2014/15, 34th round: Fiorentina-Cesena 3-1

2014/15, 32nd round: Fiorentina-Cagliari 1-3

2014/15, 31st round: Fiorentina-Verona 0-1

LAST FIVE SERIE A HOME MATCHES FOR MILAN IN SERIE A:

2014/15, 38th: Atalanta-Milan 1-3

2014/15, 36th: Sassuolo-Milan 3-2

2014/15, 34th: Napoli-Milan 3-1

2014/15, 32nd: Udinese-Milan 2-1

2014/15, 31st: Inter-Milan 0-0

Tactical session for the rossoneri on Thursday morning.

MILANELLO – The squad trained on Thursday morning at Milanello in what was the first of two training sessions scheduled for the day.

After a warm-up, which consisted of running and stretching, the rossoneri got down to serious business by focusing on tactics ahead of this Sunday’s Serie A opener away at Fiorentina.

The forwards were the first to be put through their paces before heading indoors to continue working out in the gym. It was then the turn of the defenders and midfielders to finish their work-out in the gym and head outdoors for tactical drills.

As for the goalkeepers, they worked apart with the goalkeeping coach Alfredo Magni.

The next session of the day is scheduled for later this afternoon.

Individuals: Calabria and Zapata trained with the rest of the squad. Jeremy Menez on the other hand took no part in the session because of a medical visit in Monte Carlo for back-pain.