Lech Poznan-Fiorentina is a match valid for the first leg of the Conference League quarterfinals and is played Thursday at 9 p.m.: TV, lineups, predictions.
The Nyon urn was again lenient to Fiorentina. After drawing Sivasspor of Turkey in the round of 16, the Viola avoided the most fearsome of the remaining teams in the quarters although Lech Poznan deserves some attention.
The Poles cannot be underestimated but still remain within the reach of Vincenzo Italiano’s men who, having regained identity and results, are dreaming big. It is precisely from the cups that the greatest satisfactions could come for the Gigliati, who in the league are paying the price for a first part of the season that was too up and down, in which Biraghi and his teammates clearly suffered from the lack of habit of the double weekly commitment. In the Conference League, having overcome the obstacles Braga and Sivasspor, the final in Prague is a realistic goal: should they pass the round with Lech, the Viola would face the winner of Basel-Nice. Eliminated Villarreal and Lazio, only West Ham on paper seems to have something more than the Tuscans. The Coppa Italia final, on the other hand, is now just a step away: Fiorentina won 2-0 in Cremona a week ago, mortgaging a pass to the last act at the Olimpico. On Saturday, however, the winning streak, which lasted nine games between competitions, came to a halt. Italiano’s men felt the fatigue, getting a draw from Spezia (1-1).
The only previous one was seven years ago
Last weekend, Lech Poznan’s winning streak was extended: 2-0 in the derby with Warta, a result that allows the formation coached by Dutchman John van den Brom to consolidate third place in Ekstraklasa behind Rakow and Legia Warsaw. The last defeat was last Feb. 26: since then the haul is five wins and two draws.
Lech Poznan, which had never made it to the top eight of a European competition, had an easy time in the round of 16 with the Swedes of Djurgarden, beaten 2-0 in the first leg and 3-0 in the return, while in the previous round they had eliminated the Norwegians of Bodo Glimt in a tight double-header decided in the return match in Poland. They also had an excellent run in the group stage, where a 3-0 victory over Villarreal must be noted. In short, Fiorentina cannot be distracted. Which has already faced the Poles twice in the past. It was the 2015-16 Europa League, and in the group stage it ended with a win on each side. Italiano will have to watch out for the two strikers Skoras and Ishak – the latter with a past in Crotone in Serie B – who will find a place in van den Brom’s aggressive 4-2-3-1. The Viola will also obviously wear its best outfit, with Cabral being preferred in the attacking trident to the returning Jovic: with the Brazilian there will also be Ikoné and Nico Gonzalez.
The prediction
Florentin will find a very hot atmosphere and may initially suffer from Lech Poznan’s exuberance. In the long run, however, values will come out, with the Viola expected to be able to bring home a valuable success in view of qualification.
The probable lineups of Lech Poznan-Fiorentina
- LECH POZNAN (4-2-3-1): Bednarek; Pereira, Salamon, Milić, Rebocho; Kvekveskiri, Karlstroem; Sousa, Marchwiński, Skóraś; Ishak.
- FIORENTINA (4-3-3): Terracciano; Dodô, Martinez Quarta, Igor, Biraghi; Bonaventura, Amrabat, Mandragora; Ikoné, Cabral, González.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
