2021 has just begun and Serie A is set to resume, with all of the upcoming matchday 15 fixtures scheduled for Sunday 3 January. At 15:00 CET, at the Stadio Franchi in Florence, the Derby dell’Appennino will take place: Bologna and Fiorentina are separated by one point in the table and will be looking to pick up points to move further away from danger.

The statistical head-to-head of matchday 15 (made possible by the stats section on our website) pits Gaetano Castrovilli against Roberto Soriano, both key players for their respective sides.

Both have played in every single match this season: Soriano has started all of Bologna’s matches (1,229 minutes), while Castrovilli has been a starter for 13 of Fiorentina’s 14 fixtures (1,061').

In terms of distribution, Soriano has completed more passes (387 vs. 298) and been more precise in this regard (81.5% vs. 78.2%). The Rossoblù midfielder has also been more accurate in the opposition half (77.2% vs. 73.6%). However, the Viola player completed more dribbles than his counterpart, 16 compared to nine.

Both have been heavily involved in attack. Soriano, who plays higher up the pitch than Castrovilli, has scored six goals and provided four assists, with the Viola man having found the net four times and set up a teammate to score on one occasion. Soriano has created more chances (21 vs. 7), although Castrovilli has had more shots on target (9 vs. 8) and been more accurate in this regard (69.2% vs. 44.4%).

Both have done their bit in defence too. Castrovilli has made more interceptions (18 vs. 6) and won more tackles (10 vs. 8), while Soriano has made more clearances (12 vs. 5).

When it comes to discipline, Castrovilli has been fouled more (34 vs. 29), while Soriano has been penalised on more occasions (32 vs. 23). Nevertheless, the Florentina man has picked up more bookings (4 vs. 1).