Jay Breydel Stadium sets the stage for the return leg of an enthralling Europa Conference League semi-final tie between Club Brugge and Fiorentina. Wednesday’s clash in Bruges has all the makings of a future-defining contest for La Viola amidst domestic struggles.
A topsy-turvy first leg in Tuscany saw Fiorentina take the lead twice against 10-man Brugge, only to be pegged back both times before M’Bala Nzola’s 91st-minute winner inspired the Italians to an all-important 3-2 victory. Considering Vincenzo Italiano’s men had a numerical advantage for over half an hour, there’s a feeling they should’ve taken a more comprehensive lead into the return fixture.
However, it’s how it is, and Fiorentina can’t afford to dwell on the past, especially after slumping to a 2-1 defeat to Hellas Verona at the weekend. A disheartening result at Marc’Antonio Bentegodi denied La Viola a chance to qualify for next season’s Europa League through Serie A, leaving them six points adrift of seventh-placed Lazio.
Attention quickly switched to the Conference League as Fiorentina bid to go one better than last season when West Ham United got the better of the Tuscan outfit in the grand final. Guiding Fiorentina to their first piece of silverware since the 2000/01 Coppa Italia triumph would be a perfect parting gift from outgoing manager Italiano amid growing speculation about his summer exit.
Match Preview
Club Brugge
Only two years after coaching Welsh minnows Haverfordwest, Club Brugge caretaker boss Nicky Hayen could book a final date in a major European competition. Despite narrowly lagging behind Fiorentina ahead of the second leg, the 43-year-old has every reason for optimism, given his side’s formidable form since his appointment in mid-March.
Except for the first-leg defeat at Artemio Franchi, Club Brugge boast a near-flawless record across nine remaining matches under Hayen in all competitions (W8, D1). On top of that, they’ve been superb at home, racking up a six-game winning streak since the start of March, including two unanswered victories in the Conference League.
Indeed, the Belgians haven’t lost a single home outing in Europe’s third-tier competition this season (W6, D2), winning the last four on the trot by an aggregate score of 9-1.
Fiorentina
Fiorentina can’t afford to get too comfortable with their slender lead despite only losing once in six Conference League away matches this season (W2, D3). Italiano’s troops have traveled poorly of late, claiming just one win on their last five competitive road trips (D1, L3) while netting under 1.5 goals on four!
Though they don’t need to pack a punch to extend a club-record 12-game unbeaten streak in European football (W7, D5), Fiorentina must be aware of an unwanted piece of history that has seen them go winless on both previous visits to Belgium (D1, L1). It’s nothing a fast start can’t remedy, especially given La Viola’s emerging trend in the Conference League.
With each of their last six fixtures in the competition replicating a halftime result to the final score, avoiding an early deficit could set Fiorentina up for success.
Team News
Club Brugge midfield anchor Raphael Onyedika is unavailable after a first-leg red card, and it’ll be up to Hugo Veltesen to fill his shoes. Dedryck Boyata and Bjorn Meijer are in the treatment room with injuries, with Maxim De Cuyper expected to replace the latter at left-back.
On the other hand, Fiorentina will be without star winger Riccardo Sottil due to a broken collarbone, but the rest of Italiano’s squad will board a plane. Gaetano Castrovilli, who scored a consolation goal at Verona, is not on the club’s Conference League list, leaving Christian Kouame as a frontrunner to take Sottil’s place.
Club Brugge vs Fiorentina Potential Lineups
Club Brugge (4-2-3-1): Nordin Jackers; Maxim De Cuyper, Jorne Spileers, Brandon Mechele, Kyriani Sabbe; Denis Odoi, Hugo Veltesen; Andreas Skov Olsen, Hans Vanaken, Ferran Jutgla; Igor Thiago.
Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): Pietro Terracciano; Dodo, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Luca Ranieri, Cristiano Biraghi; Giacomo Bonaventura, Arthur Melo; Nicolas Gonzalez, Lucas Beltran, Christian Kouame; Andrea Belotti.
Club Brugge vs Fiorentina Prediction
Club Brugge’s renaissance under Hayen demands respect, as does their resilient showing in Tuscany a week ago. But after resting his first-team stars against Verona, Italiano ought to be confident about Fiorentina’s chances of holding onto their first-leg advantage.
Prediction: Fiorentina to reach the final
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