MX23RW : Saturday, November 23 22:59:10| >> :120:47224:47224:
[monks data]
Fiorentina logo
Europa League | Quarter-Finals
Apr 23, 2015 at 8.05pm UK
 
Dynamo Kiev

2-0

Gomez (43'), Vargas (94')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Fiorentina vs. Dynamo Kiev

Sports Mole looks ahead to Fiorentina's visit of Dynamo Kiev as both sides battle for a semi-final spot in the Europa League.

Fiorentina host Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League on Thursday with the added boost of knowing that the club has never lost a quarter-final tie in this competition.

However, with the aggregate score at 1-1, the Ukrainian giants will travel to Italy optimistic that they can pile more misery on their Italian counterparts in a testing few weeks for them.



Fiorentina

FC Dynamo Kyiv's Yevhen Khacheridi (L) vies with Fiorentina's Mario Gomez (R) during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final, first leg match Dynamo Kiev vs ACF Fiorentina in Kiev on April 16, 2015

The omens favour La Viola, who have never lost a quarter-final tie in this competition and boast a nine-game unbeaten streak against Ukrainian opposition.

Furthermore, they bring a potentially decisive away goal into Stadio Artemio Franchi thanks to Khouma Babacar's stoppage-time equaliser in Kiev.

Despite some signs pointing to a place in the last four, though, Vincenzo Montella's side suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Hellas Verona on Monday - a result that could yet have a knock-on effect for their European ambitions.

It was their second straight league defeat and the wheels appear to be coming loose at precisely the wrong moment for Fiorentina, who will only have three days in which to recover from that setback against Hellas.

Their Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Juventus earlier this month places added importance on what happens this Thursday, with the Europa League representing their last chance of silverware and Champions League qualification by virtue of their eight-point deficit from the top three. Their season may just hinge on winning this competition.

Recent form: LDWDWD
Recent form (all competitions): DWLLDL



Dynamo Kiev

Dynamo Kiev's Portuguese defender Vitorino Antunes celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 football match between Dynamo Kiev and Everton in Kiev on March 19, 2015© Getty Images

With 23 goals, Dynamo, along with Napoli, are the highest-scoring team remaining in the competition and optimism will be high ahead of their trip to Italy.

They were just two minutes away from securing a 1-0 first-leg advantage until Babacar struck in the closing stages to change the complexion of the tie.

It was undoubtedly a better result for the visitors courtesy of the away goal, but Serhiy Rebrov's side are no strangers to a first-leg setback, having lost their opening games to Guingamp and Everton in the previous two rounds before ultimately flipping the tie on its head.

Back in February, they went down 2-1 at Guingamp before progressing with a 4-3 aggregate victory, and it was a similar story on Merseyside; losing the first leg 2-1 but an emphatic 5-2 second-leg response saw them advance into the quarters for the first time in four years.

Babacar's late equaliser will have undoubtedly hurt but it is a pain that they have already managed thus far and both sides will go into Thursday knowing that the tie is far from over.

Recent form: WLWLWD
Recent form (all competitions): DWWDDW



Team News

Fiorentina head coach Vincenzo Montella shouts instructions to his players during the Serie A match between AC Siena and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Artemio Franchi on May 8, 2013© Getty Images

Babacar could miss the conclusion of a tie that he potentially saved for Fiorentina last week, with a knee injury possibly ruling him out.

Milan Badelj and David Pizarro are also injury doubts for Montella, with Giuseppe Rossi the only player who definitely won't make an appearance.

Meanwhile, injury will also see Yevhen Makarenko play no part on Thursday, but Miguel Veloso could return after missing out last week.

Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
Neto, Rodriguez, Savic, Alonso, Tomovic, Badelj, Fernandez, Joaquin, Valero, Gomez, Salah

Dynamo Kiev possible starting lineup:
Shovkovskiy, Silva, Antunes, Dragovic, Khacheridi, Sydorchuk, Rybalka, Buyalskiy, Lens, Yarmolenko, Teodorczyk



Head To Head

Both sides had met four times in a competitive setting prior to last week's stalemate, with Fioretina winning two and drawing two - a 1-0 aggregate win in the UEFA Cup back in 1989, followed by a 2-1 victory over both legs in the 1969 edition of the European Cup.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Fiorentina 2-1 Dynamo Kiev

Despite a rough few weeks, Fiorentina are a resilient bunch and we reckon that they should have just enough on the night to edge past their Ukrainian counterparts.



ID:218482: cacheID:218482:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9079:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
FC Dynamo Kyiv's Yevhen Khacheridi (L) vies with Fiorentina's Mario Gomez (R) during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final, first leg match Dynamo Kiev vs ACF Fiorentina in Kiev on April 16, 2015
Read Next:
Babacar rescues a draw for Fiorentina
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!