Fiorentina vs Panathinaikos

The match between Fiorentina and Panathinaikos will take place at the Stadio Artemio Franchi as the standout game of the Conference League second round matches on Thursday evening.

Greece emerged victorious through an odd goal in their five-goal battle at the first match despite their elimination risks as former two-time Conference League finalists.

Panathinaikos started their home match against Fiorentina with flying colors after the first twenty minutes but La Viola used only four minutes to equalize through goals from Lucas Beltran and Nicolo Fagioli.

The team of Raffaele Palladino came close to achieving an even larger victory but Matias Moreno scored a late first-half goal that was disallowed by video assistant referee technology before Tete scored for the hosts after the break.

The quarterfinal opponents Lugano and Celje Pivovarija will face substantial backing from the advancing team since both clubs intensely aim to progress deeply into this tournament.

Panathinaikos witnessed Olympiacos triumph in the Conference League final after Fiorentina managed to defeat them the same season and they hope to secure success this year.

Both teams must contend with each other in this round since it will prevent them from facing Chelsea in the final so they need luck at this moment rather than better draw possibilities.

Even though Fiorentina became long shots for progression after a first-leg loss they rank as the third preferred choice to win the tournament because victory in this tie would provide them with a positive path to the final.

It seems like Fiorentina is facing a challenging period, both domestically and in European competition. Despite their recent struggles in Serie A, where they've suffered five defeats in six games and slipped to eighth place, they have shown resilience in European matches. Their ability to navigate tight encounters, such as their narrow victories over Maccabi Haifa and Club Brugge, as well as their dramatic win against Basel in the semi-finals last season, demonstrates their capacity to handle pressure.

The upcoming fixtures against Juventus, Atalanta, and AC Milan in Serie A add further urgency for Fiorentina to secure a positive result in their European clash. Progressing in the competition could provide a much-needed boost to their morale and keep their hopes of European qualification alive.

Palladino's men have shown they can perform in high-stakes situations, and despite the recent dip in form, they have the experience and quality to turn things around. The one-goal deficit, while not ideal, is not insurmountable, especially given their history of overcoming adversity in this competition. The key will be to capitalize on their chances, as missed opportunities, like those by Robin Gosens and Cher Ndour against Napoli, could prove costly.

In summary, Fiorentina's season hangs in the balance, and their ability to progress in Europe could be crucial in keeping their campaign alive. The next few games will be pivotal in determining whether they can salvage their season and achieve their objectives.