Fiorentina will be expecting to secure their first win in the Europa Conference League when they host Ferencvaros on Thursday.
The Italian side drew 2-2 away to Genk on the opening matchday, while Ferencvaros defeated Cukaricki 2-1 at home.
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Having lost in the final of this competition to West Ham United last season, when England winger Jarrod Bowen raced through before slotting home in the final minute of normal time to seal the trophy for the Hammers, Fiorentina will be determined to go one better this time around.
I Viola have not been handed the easiest group, though, with the Belgian runners-up and Hungarian champions likely to push them all of the way in Group F. That said, it would be a major surprise if a team with comparatively greater wealth and pedigree from Italy did not advance to the knockout stages.
Vincenzo Italiano remains in charge for his third season at the helm, and Fiorentina have made a strong start in Serie A, taking 14 points from their opening seven fixtures to sit level on points with third-placed Napoli. Only goal difference is keeping them outside of the Champions League qualifications spots ahead of their trip to Naples on Sunday.
However, Italiano and his players will be determined to record their first victory in the Europa Conference League on Thursday in order to strengthen their position in the group, while boosting confidence of beating the reigning Italian champions on their own patch at the weekend.
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Fiorentina would be foolish to underestimate Ferencvaros, though, especially with former Lazio and Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic likely to be extremely keen to impress from the visiting managerial dugout.
The 45-year-old failed to save Sampdoria from relegation from Serie A last season under extremely difficult financial difficulties, with the fact that I Blucerchiati are currently second-bottom in Serie B after eight matches illustrating their current turmoil.
Stankovic, who won three successive Serbian SuperLiga titles with Red Star Belgrade between 2019 and 2022 before returning to Italy, has bounced straight back into management after being appointed by Ferencvaros last month. Six wins from six victories in all competitions has helped them move back to the summit of their domestic division, which they have lifted at the end of each of the last five seasons.
Having won their Europa League group before being knocked out by Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 last season, the Greens will retain plenty of belief that they can at least make it out of the group in a lesser competition, with avoiding defeat at Stadio Artemio Franchi on Thursday likely to be their primary short-term aim.
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Fiorentina will remain without defender Dodo for several months due to an ACL injury, while Niccolo Pierozzi, Yerry Mina and Gaetano Castrovilli are not expected to be available until after the upcoming international break.
Italiano is likely to freshen things up ahead of their hugely important away game against Napoli three days later, with backup goalkeeper Oliver Christensen set to be handed another chance to impress after starting against Genk in their last game in this competition.
Ferencvaros, meanwhile, will travel without Adam Halmai due to a ruptured knee ligament, but otherwise Stankovic appears to have a fully-fit squad at his disposal.
The 103-time capped international may opt to restore Samy Mmaee to his backline after resting the 27-year-old for their 6-1 victory away to MTK Budapest on Saturday, while former Everton midfielder Muhamed Besic could be called upon to provide added industry in midfield.
Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
Christensen; Kayode, Milenkovic, Ranieri, Biraghi; Arthur, Mandragora, Duncan; Gonzalez, Beltran, Sottil
Ferencvaros possible starting lineup:
Dibusz; Botka, Mmaee, Cisse, Ramirez; Makreckis, Abu Fani; Kwabena, Zachariassen, Marquinhos; Varga
We say: Fiorentina 2-1 Ferencvaros
Ferencvaros have built plenty of European pedigree and credibility across recent seasons and they will have no fear when arriving in Florence, and we can envisage them pushing the hosts hard on Thursday.
However, Fiorentina have been in decent form this season and they will be determined to move onto four points from two matches after drawing their opening match in this competition, and we expect them to do so in narrow fashion.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Brett Curtis
