Preview: Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Fiorentina – prediction, staff information, lineups

Kicking off their Conference League knockout-round playoff, Jagiellonia Bialystok and Fiorentina will meet in Poland for Thursday’s first leg.

After subsequent week’s return, the combination winner will meet both Strasbourg or one other Polish staff, Rakow Czestochowa, within the final 16.

Match preview

Having already held Strasbourg and Shkendija to 1-1 attracts on their journeys, Jagiellonia completed their league section marketing campaign with a tense goalless stalemate away to AZ Alkmaar – and that proved sufficient for a playoff place.

Early dwelling wins in opposition to Hamrun Spartans and KuPS had put Adrian Siemieniec’s aspect in a powerful place, earlier than a 2-1 defeat to Rayo Vallecano left their progress in some doubt.

Although they by no means scored greater than eleven in any of their six fixtures, Jaga have confirmed robust to beat: together with qualifiers, that dwelling loss to Rayo is their sole defeat in a dozen European video games this season.

The Bialystok-based membership are presently having fun with the very best spell of their lengthy historical past, having lastly gained a primary league title in 2024 earlier than reaching the Conference League quarter-finals final time period.

Leading the best way once more in Poland’s EkstraklasaSaturday’s 0-0 draw with Cracovia left them two factors away from a crowded chasing pack, and with one recreation in hand.

Now, Jaga will meet Italian opponents for the very first time, aiming to realize a bonus for subsequent week’s second leg at Stadio Franchi.

By comparability with their hosts, Fiorentina are skilled continental campaigners, going unbeaten throughout 4 earlier visits to Poland.

Having lifted the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1961, the Viola have been additionally Conference League runners-up twice up to now three years.

However, in stark distinction to their current journeys – which all ended within the semis or closing – the Tuscan membership have limped by way of this time period’s competitors up to now.

Struggling in Series Athey began nicely sufficient in Europe, however consecutive defeats to Mainz and AEK Athens left them in hassle earlier than a significant dwelling victory over Dynamo Kyiv.

Then, on the sixth and closing matchday, Paolo Vanoli’s aspect have been overwhelmed by Lausanne, leaving them fifteenth on the desk and dealing with a difficult knockout playoff.

Back on the home scene, Fiorentina are nonetheless scrapping for top-flight survival, now sitting three factors adrift of security.

Recently denied victory in stoppage time by Torino, they did conquer Como final week, gaining swift revenge for being dumped out of the Coppa Italia.

Since arriving in November, Vanoli has definitely overseen an enchancment, however his staff stays fragile, having stored only a single clear sheet of their final 20 Serie A matches.

Jagiellonia Bialystok Conference League kind:

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Jagiellonia Bialystok kind (all competitions):

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Fiorentina Conference League kind:

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Fiorentina kind (all competitions):

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Team News

© Imago

Jagiellonia shall be with out two key gamers for the primary leg, each on account of suspension: star striker Afimico Pululu was despatched off in opposition to AZ, whereas long-serving captain Taras Romanczuk accrued three yellow playing cards within the league section.

Greek ahead Dimitris Rallis could substitute Pululu, and there are a number of candidates to deputize for Romanczuk in central midfield.

Elsewhere, Sergio Lozano and Dusan Stojinovic are anticipated to overlook out by way of harm.

Excluding qualifying, Jesus Imaz is the one Jaga participant to attain greater than eleven in Europe this season, with two targets up to now; Fiorentina’s joint-top scorers Albert Gudmundsson and Cher Ndour even have two apiece.

Ndour missed final month’s loss in Lausanne whereas serving a ban, however he might return to the beginning XI on Thursday, that includes in a reworked lineup.

The likes of Edin Dzeko, Pablo Mari and Hans Nicolussi Caviglia have since departed, with new boys comparable to Jack Harrison and Giovanni Fabbian changing them.

Due to harm, Daniele Rugani – one other current signing – and Gudmundsson will each be a part of long-term absentee Tariq Lamptey on the sidelines.

Vanoli is prioritising Serie A survival, so key males Moise Kean, David de Gea and Dodo have all been left at dwelling.

Jagiellonia Bialystok attainable beginning lineup:

Abramowicz; Wojtuszek, Vital, Pelmard, Wdowik; Mazurek, Drachal; Nahuel, Imaz, Pozo; Rally

Fiorentina attainable beginning lineup:

Lezzerini; Fortini, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Balbo; Mandragora, Ndour; Parisi, Fabbian, Harrison; Piccoli

We say: Jagiellonia Bialystok 2-1 Fiorentina

On dwelling turf, Jagiellonia ought to be too robust for flaky Fiorentina, because the Italian aspect have been under their greatest for a number of months.

While the Viola are lacking a number of gamers and don’t journey nicely, the Polish champions are robust to beat in Bialystok, to allow them to declare a first-leg lead.

For information evaluation of the most certainly outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click on right here.