Fiorentina and FC Twente play twice over the course of seven days for a spot in the Europa Conference League group stage, with the first leg taking place in Florence on Thursday.
The two are currently facing off in the playoffs of Europe’s newest club competition. Neither team has lost a point so far in their respective domestic seasons. Fiorentina returns to continental competition for the first time in six years as a result of their impressive comeback campaign in 2021–22, and they begin their quest to advance to the Conference League’s group stage at their fortress, Stadio Artemio Franchi.
In a 3-2 victory over newly promoted Cremonese on Sunday at the grand old stadium, the Viola opened their Serie A campaign. Summer signing Luka Jovic scored on his debut before the hosts were given a fortunate winner in stoppage time.
After threatening to upset the established order at the top of the table, Fiorentina’s fortunes turned around, and the team led by Vincenzo Italiano finished seventh in Serie A last season, compiling Italy’s second-best home record in the process.
Fiorentina have become one of the Serie A’s most entertaining teams since Italiano’s arrival last year, which brought a more progressive style of play. Italiano has strengthened his team by bringing in midfielder Rolando Mandragora, full-back Dodo, and Jovic during the current transfer window.
Twente came fourth in the Eredivisie last season and qualified for a first trip back to Europe in eight years after having a similarly successful season to their Italian hosts. Michel Vlap and Christos Tzolis each scored twice over the course of the two legs as the Enschede team easily defeated Cukaricki in their third qualifying round matchup earlier this month. The score was 7-2 on aggregate.
The Tukkers began their league campaign during that time by defeating NEC Nijmegen 1-0, and they then followed that up with a masterful performance on Sunday against Fortuna Sittard. With veteran striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel opening the scoring in a 3-0 home victory, Ron Jans’ team was rewarded for their commanding performance.
They have now won each of their last six games. Because of their preseason victories over Bologna and Schalke as well as four victories since they resumed competitive play, Twente is going to Tuscany fully confident that they can pull off an upset.
Possible starting lineup for Fiorentina:
Gollini (GK); Dodo, Milenkovic, Martinez Quarta, Biraghi; Bonaventura, Amrabat, Mandragora; Ikone, Jovic, Gonzalez
Potential starting lineup for FC Twente:
Unnerstall (GK); Brenet, Hilgers, Pleguezuelo, Smal; Zerrouki, Sadilek; Cerny, Vlap, Tzolis; Van Wolfswinkel
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