Fiorentina vs Real Betis

Despite starting the knock-out stage as favorites, Fiorentina will be heading into this match down a goal after losing the first leg 1-0 when both teams clash in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League semi-final on Thursday.

After having triumphed at home in the first leg last week against Seville’s Betis, the Italian team will be eager to start with a win and add new history.
After going a goal down in the first six minutes and falling again by two goals in the sixty-first minute, Fiorentina tried to revive in the second half on Estadio Benito Villamarin’s field and lose the latest Conference League semi-final away match 2-1.

Despite efforts by Abde Ezzalzouli and Antony to put Real Betis ahead, Jaka Bijol orchestrated a skills of Robin Gosens to square for the Viola, captain Luca Ranieri to head home and reduce the margin, thus ensuring the Italian side had not given up on the Spanish counterparts.

As a result, they are still capable of competing for a third consecutive year finals after falling to West Ham United and Olympiacos in successional years.

In this term after coming out of the qualifying round Fiorentina performance in the new league phase took the third position, in knock out round Fiorentina won against Panathinaikos and Celje making the setup for the semi against firmed opponents from La Liga.

Despite losing the in the competition’s week match, it means the Tuscan team has not been able to beat Spanish sides in the last five UEFA semi final matches and this has to change if they have to progress through to the next level in the Stadio Franchi.

Prior to the stumble against Betis, the Palladino’s charges had got their boot back on the throttle after hiccups in series A to record six-match a series without tasting a defeat but now they have been defeated two times within a week after the weekend’s 1-0 loss against AS Roma.

The Viola went close through Moise Kean and Rolando Mandragora, but they failed to find the back of the net, effectively ruling out any possibility of top four football and adding more pressure on Thursday’s clash.

Real Betis has recovered in recent months and is still vying for a coveted Champions League spot, while Fiorentina is fighting against the odds to return to Europe.

They defeated Espanyol 2-1 on Sunday thanks to two late goals, continuing their battle to qualify for UEFA's top tournament: Giovani Lo Celso tied the score in the 85th minute, and Antony's incredible finish against Fiorentina was followed by a last-minute curling goal.

Real Betis have been in strong form, losing just once in their last 15 matches across all competitions. Currently sixth in La Liga, they sit just one point outside the top five—and they’re also on the verge of securing a spot in the Conference League final.

While their city rivals Sevilla have enjoyed repeated Europa League success, Los Verdiblancos are now determined to reach their first-ever European final.

After a modest 15th-place finish in the league phase, Manuel Pellegrini’s side fought their way through the knockout rounds—overcoming Gent, Vitoria Guimaraes, and Jagiellonia Bialystok to reach this stage. But their work isn’t done yet.

Despite an impressive home performance at the Benito Villamarín, fueled by the passion of their Andalusian supporters, seeing their lead shrink to just one goal will give Pellegrini pause ahead of a decisive second leg.