Fiorentina will face AEK Athens at Stadio Artemio Franchi in a crucial Conference League match this Thursday. The Italian side aims to secure their first victory under new management after a rough start to the Serie A season. In contrast, AEK Athens enjoys a strong recent form as they pursue glory in the Greek Super League.
Fiorentina’s Current Struggles
This season has been challenging for Fiorentina, who finished sixth in Serie A last season, their best result in years. However, they’re currently positioned 19th, winless in their first 12 league matches. Following a series of disappointing results, the club appointed Paolo Vanoli as manager. Vanoli remains unbeaten in his opening two games, earning draws against Genoa and Juventus.
Despite their league woes, Fiorentina’s performance in the Conference League has been more favorable. They have secured two wins from three matches in the group stage, although they recently suffered a 2-1 defeat to Mainz 05, conceding a late goal.
Key Players to Watch
Moise Kean, one of Fiorentina’s star players, is struggling this season and has only scored twice so far. The forward was expected to be a leading scorer but has yet to net in the Conference League this term.
- Moise Kean (Fiorentina): Scored only 2 goals this season, down from 25 last year.
AEK Athens’ Strong Performance
AEK Athens, on the other hand, is riding a wave of success. Currently, the team is unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions, including a 1-0 victory over Aris Thessaloniki in the Greek Super League. Young forward Zini has been a revelation, scoring two goals in three league appearances.
- Zini (AEK Athens): Two goals in three matches since returning from a loan.
AEK’s only blemish in recent outings was a draw against Shamrock Rovers in the Conference League, where Luka Jovic scored a late penalty to salvage a point.
Team News
Fiorentina will be without several players due to injuries. Tariq Lamptey and Robin Gosens are sidelined, and Christian Kouame has yet to play this season due to injury. Dereck Kutesa, another key player, is also recovering from a muscle injury.
- Injured Players:
- Tariq Lamptey – Knee injury
- Robin Gosens – Thigh strain
- Christian Kouame – Long-term injury
- Dereck Kutesa – Muscle injury
Possible Lineups
Fiorentina’s anticipated starting eleven includes:
- GK: De Gea
- DF: Pongracic, Mari, Ranieri
- MF: Dodo, Sohm, Caviglia, Ndour, Fortini
- FW: Kean, Piccoli
AEK Athens may line up as follows:
- GK: Strakosha
- DF: Rota, Moukoudi, Relvas, Pilios
- MF: Gacinovic, Pineda, Koita, Pereyra
- FW: Zini, Jovic
Match Prediction
This matchup is crucial for Fiorentina as they look to end their winless streak and gain momentum. While AEK Athens has been performing well domestically, they may find it challenging at Stadio Artemio Franchi. El-Balad predicts Fiorentina could edge out a 2-1 win over AEK Athens. This match presents an opportunity for both teams to seek vital points in the Conference League.
