Fiorentina is set to face Sigma Olomouc on Thursday in the UEFA Conference League at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. This match marks the opening round of the league phase for both teams. Fiorentina aims to bounce back from a challenging start in Serie A, where they currently sit in 16th place with only three points from three draws and two defeats.
Match Preview
Stefano Pioli’s squad has struggled in recent Serie A matches, remaining winless after five games. Their only victories this season came in the playoff round against Polissya Zhytomyr, winning 3-0 and 3-2 to advance with a 6-2 aggregate score. Fiorentina, having previously finished as runners-up in the Conference League twice, will seek to regain their form in European competition amidst domestic struggles.
Fiorentina has historically performed well in the Conference League, never being eliminated before the semi-finals in previous appearances. As they prepare to host Sigma Olomouc, the Italian side seeks to end a four-match winless streak. Despite being two-time runners-up and positioned 24th in the UEFA coefficient rankings, caution is warranted against a lower-ranked Czech side.
Sigma Olomouc, ranked 175th in the UEFA coefficient, is making their debut in this competition after being eliminated from the Europa League playoff round against Malmo. The team aims to capitalize on this European opportunity, although they have struggled with only one win in their last eight matches across all competitions and just one clean sheet in ten outings.
Team News
Fiorentina appears to have no significant injury concerns from their recent draw against Pisa, but Tariq Lamptey remains out with a knee issue. Christian Kouame is also recovering from an ACL injury. Notably, Moise Kean is suspended following a red card received in the playoff match against Polissya.
- Key Player: Rolando Mandragora, who has scored two of Fiorentina’s three league goals this season, could be pivotal for the team.
Sigma Olomouc’s lineup may be impacted by injuries. Jiri Spacil and Jan Kral are being assessed, while Filip Urica, Jan Kliment, and Yunusa Muritala are expected to miss the match. Daniel Vasulin, with five goals this season, remains their primary threat in front of goal.
Possible Lineups
| Fiorentina | Sigma Olomouc |
|---|---|
| De Gea; Pongracic, Mari, Ranieri; Dodo, Mandragora, Fagioli, Gosens; Gudmundsson, Fazzini; Dzeko | Koutny; Slavicek, Sylla, Huk, Slama; Beran, Breite; Dolznikov, Tkac, Michez; Vasulin |
Prediction
Fiorentina is favored to win this encounter, despite both teams being winless in their last four matches. The quality difference should play a significant role, potentially leading to a 2-0 victory for the Italian side over the Conference League newcomers.
