Fiorentina vs. Jagiellonia Bialystok: Prediction, Team News, Lineups Preview

Fiorentina is set to host Jagiellonia Bialystok at Stadio Franchi on Thursday for the second leg of their Conference League playoff, following a decisive 3-0 victory in Poland. With this win, Fiorentina holds a significant advantage as they approach this crucial match.

Match Preview: Fiorentina vs. Jagiellonia Bialystok

The first leg showcased a stellar performance from Fiorentina, particularly in the second half. Rolando Mandragora’s exceptional free kick highlighted their dominance, leaving them in a favorable position to advance to the last 16.

Fiorentina’s Conference League History

• Conference League runners-up twice in the last three years.
• Only club to score over 100 goals in UEFA’s third-tier competition.
• Has progressed from all six knockout ties won in the first leg.

In stark contrast, Fiorentina’s domestic league performance has been lackluster. They finished 15th in Serie A, prompting a battle for survival. Under coach Paolo Vanoli, who took over in November, they have shown improvement, recently moving out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win against Pisa.

Jagiellonia Bialystok’s Challenges

Jagiellonia Bialystok faces a daunting task. To avoid elimination, they must win by at least three goals. Historically, Polish teams have struggled against Serie A opponents in European competitions, with Jagiellonia needing a significant turnaround after last week’s performance.

• Historically, Polish clubs have just two wins in 32 away matches against Serie A teams.
• Previously suffered defeats in 2015 and 2023 against Lech Poznan.

Despite last week’s setback, Jagiellonia has had a decent run in the Conference League, remaining unbeaten in their previous six away matches prior to the first leg. However, their latest domestic match ended in a 1-1 draw against Radomiak Radom, keeping them just two points clear at the top of the Ekstraklasa table.

Team News and Potential Lineups

For the upcoming game, Fiorentina may see a rotation in their lineup. Key players like David De Gea and Moise Kean could be rested as Vanoli prioritizes league survival. Mandragora will likely return after serving a suspension, strengthening their midfield.

Jagiellonia welcomes back important players Afimico Pululu and Taras Romanczuk after suspensions, which should bolster their chances in this crucial clash. However, injuries to Sergio Lozano and Dusan Stojinovic mean they are likely unavailable.

As both teams juggle their league and cup ambitions, it remains to be seen how they will perform in this significant second leg. A draw is expected, but Fiorentina’s first-leg advantage may hold strong, leading them to a potential aggregate victory.