Preview: Fiorentina vs Jagiellonia Bialystok – prediction, team news, lineups & more related news here

With one foot already in the next round, Fiorentina will host Jagiellonia Bialystok at the Stadio Franchi on Thursday, when the pair conclude their Conference League playoff.

Last week’s 3-0 victory in Poland leaves the Viola as strong favorites to face Strasbourg or another Polish team, Rakow Czestochowa, in the round of 16.

Match preview

An impressive second-half performance in Bialystok has put Fiorentina in control of what looked to be a tough tie, and their three-goal lead is the largest of any team in this year’s knockout playoffs.

The highlight of a dream night was Rolando Mandragora’s magnificent free kick into the top corner as the Italian club put themselves in a great position to advance after this week’s second leg.

Fiorentina have been Conference League runners-up twice in the last three years, while they are the only team to have scored more than 100 goals in UEFA’s third-tier competition.

However, unlike their last campaigns, which ended in the semi-finals or final, the Viola had some problems in the league phase this season, finishing 15th in the table and slipping into the playoffs.

Paolo Vanoli’s team is also going through a difficult time on the national level, where it faces a fight for Series A survival.

Since arriving in November, Vanoli has seen some improvements and his team is showing signs that it can escape relegation.

Now unbeaten in four games in all competitions, they beat Tuscan rivals Pisa 1-0 on Monday night, when a crucial Moise Kean goal finally lifted them out of the relegation zone.

Although it was only a third win in 13 league games in Florence this season, history will be on their side when Jagiellonia comes to town: to date, Fiorentina have made it through all six Conference League ties in which they won the first leg.

© Imago / Newspix

Furthermore, Polish clubs have historically won only twice in 32 European away games against Serie A teams, losing 25 times; although Fiorentina suffered two Italian defeats, against Lech Poznan in 2015 and 2023.

So precedents suggest that Jagiellonia hardly has a chance of turning this tie around or replicating last year’s run to the Conference League quarterfinals.

Before their second-half collapse last week, the Bialystok club had proven difficult to beat: including qualifying matches, a home loss to Rayo Vallecano was their only loss in a dozen European games.

Heading into the Stadio Franchi, they are unbeaten in six continental away games, having drawn the last three.

Now, however, the Ekstraklasa The leaders, who finally clinched their first league title in 2024, must win by at least three goals to avoid elimination in the first knockout round.

Currently top of Poland’s top flight, Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Radomiak Radom left Jaga two points ahead of a crowded chasing group (and with a game in hand), but they have not won any of their last three games.

Fiorentina Conference League Form:

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Fiorentina form (all competitions):

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Form of the Jagiellonia Bialystok Conference League:

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Jagiellonia Bialystok form (all competitions):

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Team News

© Imago

Vanoli rotated his resources for the first leg, making eight changes compared to Fiorentina who had just beaten Como, and a similar story is expected this Thursday.

Their priority is to ensure survival in the top flight, so players like David De Gea, Dodo, Manor Solomon and Kean could be left out again.

Albert Gudmundsson returned to the bench on Monday afternoon, leaving the absent Tariq Lamptey as the only player still ruled out through injury.

After serving a suspension against Pisa, Mandragora will start in midfield; He has made the most appearances (44), scored the most goals (nine) and recorded the most goal involvements (13) in all Viola Conference League campaigns.

Meanwhile, Jagiellonia coach Adrian Siemieniec will be delighted to welcome influential duo Afimico Pululu and Taras Romanczuk back from suspensions.

Last season’s Conference League top scorer and long-time Jaga captain respectively, both should feature in the visitors’ line-up, with Jesus Imaz likely to support Pululu up front.

On the other hand, the injured Sergio Lozano and Dusan Stojinovic are expected to miss.

Possible starting lineup for Fiorentina:

Lezzerini; Fortini, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens; Mandrake, Ndour; Harrison, Fabbian, Fazzini; Piccoli

Possible starting lineup for Jagiellonia Bialystok:

Abramowicz; Wojtuszek, Vital, Pelmard, Wdowik; Romanczuk, Mazurek; Pozo, Imaz, Jozwiak; Pululu

We say: Fiorentina 1-1 Jagiellonia Bialystok (Fiorentina wins 4-1 on aggregate)

Both teams may have their minds elsewhere, with Fiorentina fighting for Serie A salvation and Jagiellonia competing for the Polish title.

Given their distinct lack of goals in this season’s Conference League campaign, it is difficult to imagine Jaga producing much of a counter-attack, even if their hosts are still fragile.

For a data analysis of the most likely results, scores and more for this match, click here.