Club Brugge-Fiorentina is a match valid for the return leg of the Conference League semifinals and is played on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m.: live TV, probable formations, predictions.
In the first leg match against Belgium’s Club Brugge, Fiorentina showcased both merits and flaws. And had it not been for a goal by the revived Nzola in the second half (3-2), the Viola would today be forced to conquer the Jan Breydel Stadium in order to land – a year after the ill-fated last act in Prague, where the Gigliati were defeated in a thunderbolt by West Ham – once again in the Conference League final.
Vincenzo Italiano’s team appeared, on the whole, superior to the Nerazzurri, but the guests only needed two defensive inattentions – first Biraghi’s hand that caused the 1-1 penalty, then the incredible goal conceded on the counter-attack with Club Brugge in 10 men – to retake the lead and get back into the game. A real pity, because the one-goal lead, while precious, cannot let a Fiorentina side sleep soundly, which in Belgium will necessarily have to be more careful in its own half of the field if it wants to at least avoid defeat. Winning the Conference League, moreover, has become the only “road” to being a protagonist in Europe next year as well, since in the league the Viola just stumbled in Verona (2-1) and slipped to -6 from seventh place (with a match still to be made up).
Viola, one last effort to get to Athens
Italian against the Scaligeri went overboard with the turnover, resting almost all the starters from the challenge with Brugge, clear evidence that the team is struggling to give its all in both competitions.
Meanwhile, Nicky Hayen’s men continue to win in their own league, and against Antwerp came their fifth success in a row, thanks to which Vanaken and his teammates bypassed Anderlecht and took first place with only three days to go. However, there is not only good news for the Nerazzurri coach: outfielder Meijer, a starter, got injured and ended his season early. Besides him, the disqualified Onyedika in midfield will also be missing. Fiorentina also lost pieces in the first round, orphaned of one of its most incisive men in the last period: Sottil, after leading the Viola with a wonderful “shot on the turn,” fractured his collarbone and will not set foot on the field again until September.
The prediction
Fibrentina in the first leg match did and undid and the feeling is that the main opponent is themselves. Club Brugge as seven days ago will not give up attacking in fact this time they will be forced to raise their center of gravity to try to even the score. We expect another match of at least one goal on each side, in which the Viola should at least avoid defeat.
The likely lineups for Club Brugge-Fiorentina
CLUB BRUGGE (4-3-3): Mignolet; Sabbe, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Odoi, Vetlesen, Vanaken; Skov Olsen, Thiago, Jutglà.
FIORENTINA (4-2-3-1): Terracciano; Kayode, Milenkovic, Martinez Quarta, Biraghi; Mandragora, Bonaventura; Nico Gonzalez, Beltran, Kouamé; Belotti.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
