Last act of phase league Of Conference League for the Fiorentinaawaited by the delicate away match on Portuguese soil against Vitória Guimarães. The objective is clear: to gain direct passage to the round of 16. A draw would be enough for Palladino’s team, thanks to a vastly improved goal difference after the resounding 7-0 inflicted on LASK Linz. The match, scheduled for Thursday 19 December at 9pm at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, promises to be a truly big match, with both teams chasing qualification. Even for the hosts, in fact, one point would be enough to secure the ticket for the round of 16.
HOW THE VITORIA ARRIVES – Vitória Guimarães, second in the group with 13 points, goes into the match against Fiorentina with the aim of securing qualification. The Portuguese team, led by Rui Borges, will rely on the proven 4-3-3, with Varela between the posts and the attacking trio made up of Kaio Cesar, Josè Bica and Telmo Arcanjo. A draw, as mentioned, would also guarantee the Portuguese team progress to the next round, but the desire to win in front of a friendly crowd could push Vitória into an attacking game.
HOW FIORENTINA ARRIVES – Fresh from the narrow defeat to Bologna in the championship, Palladino’s Fiorentina is ready to dive back into the European atmosphere. Third in the group with 12 points, Viola have their destiny in their own hands: a draw would guarantee them direct qualification to the round of 16, avoiding a play-off with the second-placed teams in the Europa League groups. Palladino should line up the team with the usual 4-2-3-1, with Terracciano in goal and Kouamé as the sole striker. The largely positive goal difference, the result of the 7-0 win against LASK, represents further security for the Viola. “We must face this match with maximum concentration,” said Palladino on the eve of the match. “A draw would qualify us, but we go to Guimarães to win.”
