Jagiellonia Bialystok is set to host Fiorentina this Thursday in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League knockout playoff. This match marks the first encounter between the two teams. The aggregate winner will proceed to face either Strasbourg or Polish rivals Rakow Czestochowa in the Round of 16.
Match Preview
Jagiellonia Bialystok secured their spot in this knockout round after a mixed performance in the league phase. They held teams like Strasbourg and Shkendija to draws on their travels, finishing their group with a goalless draw against AZ Alkmaar. Despite some setbacks, such as a 2-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano, Jagiellonia has shown resilience, suffering just one defeat in twelve European matches this season.
Having recently won their first league title in 2024, Jagiellonia is enjoying a strong season. They currently lead the Polish Ekstraklasa, two points ahead of their closest rivals after a recent draw against Cracovia. The team aims to take full advantage of their home ground advantage against the Italian side.
Fiorentina’s Struggles
Contrastingly, Fiorentina brings a wealth of European experience to the match. The team has gone unbeaten on previous visits to Poland and has previously won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. However, their current campaign in the Conference League has been rocky, marked by consecutive defeats to Mainz and AEK Athens.
Fiorentina’s struggles extend to Serie A, where they find themselves in a relegation battle, currently lying three points adrift of safety. Recent performances have been uneven, with a recent win over Como somewhat overshadowed by more frequent losses and a missed opportunity against Torino.
Team News
Jagiellonia will be missing key players for the match. Star forward Afimico Pululu is suspended due to a red card received against AZ, while captain Taras Romanczuk will miss out after accumulating yellow cards. There are expected changes in the lineup, with Dimitris Rallis likely replacing Pululu and various candidates to fill Romanczuk’s midfield role.
In the Fiorentina camp, several players are unavailable due to injuries and suspensions. Notably, Daniele Rugani and Albert Gudmundsson join long-term absentee Tariq Lamptey on the sidelines. Coach Paolo Vanoli is also opting to leave some key players, such as Moise Kean and David de Gea, at home, focusing on Serie A survival.
Possible Lineups
- Jagiellonia Bialystok: Abramowicz; Wojtuszek, Vital, Pelmard, Wdowik; Mazurek, Drachal; Nahuel, Imaz, Pozo; Rallis
- Fiorentina: Lezzerini; Fortini, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Balbo; Mandragora, Ndour; Parisi, Fabbian, Harrison; Piccoli
Predictions
Considering their current form and home advantage, Jagiellonia Bialystok is favored to win this match. The Polish champions have been tough to beat at home, while Fiorentina continues to struggle with consistency. A predicted scoreline of 2-1 in favor of Jagiellonia reflects their strong position as they look for a positive result ahead of the second leg.
