Fiorentina vs Jagiellonia Bialystok: Predictions, Team News, and Lineups

Fiorentina is set to host Jagiellonia Bialystok at Stadio Franchi in Florence on Thursday as they close out their Conference League playoff. Having secured a commanding 3-0 victory in the first leg, Fiorentina enters this match with strong hopes of progressing further in the tournament.

Match Preview: Fiorentina vs. Jagiellonia Bialystok

The first leg of this encounter was marked by an impressive performance from Fiorentina, highlighted by Rolando Mandragora’s stunning free-kick goal. This win not only gives them a significant lead but also establishes them as the team with the largest aggregate advantage in this year’s knockout stage.

Historically, Fiorentina has been a formidable presence in the Conference League, finishing as runners-up twice in the last three years. They have also set a record, being the only team to surpass 100 goals in UEFA’s third-tier competition. However, their league performance this season has been less than stellar, leaving them to fight against relegation.

Current Form and Statistics

Fiorentina currently finds itself 15th in Serie A, although improvements have been noted since Paolo Vanoli took over as head coach in November. The team is on a four-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, which includes a recent narrow 1-0 win against Pisa. That victory lifted them out of the Serie A relegation zone.

• Fiorentina Conference League Form: W L L W L W
• Fiorentina All Competitions Form: L L D W W W
• Jagiellonia Bialystok Conference League Form: D D W L D L
• Jagiellonia All Competitions Form: D W W D L D

On the other hand, Jagiellonia Bialystok, currently leading the Polish Ekstraklasa, faces a tough challenge. They need to win by at least three goals to overturn the deficit and avoid elimination. Despite their solid recent form in Europe, they approach this leg after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Radomiak Radom in domestic play.

Team News and Lineups

Vanoli is expected to rotate his lineup again for the second leg, possibly resting key players such as David De Gea and Moise Kean. Midfielder Rolando Mandragora is slated to return after serving a suspension.

Meanwhile, Jagiellonia’s coach Adrian Siemieniec will welcome back key players Afimico Pululu and Taras Romanczuk, who are crucial for the team’s expectations. However, they will likely miss out on the services of injured players Sergio Lozano and Dusan Stojinovic.

Projected Lineups

This matchup promises excitement, especially for Fiorentina, who has a strong chance of proceeding to the next round. Given historical trends, Jagiellonia must overcome significant odds to equal the scoreline, creating tension for both teams as they vie for success in their respective leagues and the Conference League.