SEVILLE, Spain — Real Betis go head-to-head with Fiorentina Thursday night at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in the first leg of the Conference League semi-finals.
The match kicks off at 8 PM UK time (21:00 CET) as Betis looks to build on their recent strong form, having secured a 3-1 aggregate victory against Gent in the quarter-finals. They have seen a resurgence in La Liga, moving from 15th to sixth place, and are eight points clear of seventh-placed Celta Vigo.
Betis have managed just one loss in their last 13 matches in all competitions, and manager Manuel Pellegrini expressed confidence heading into this pivotal match. ‘We know the importance of this game, and we aim to secure our place in the final,’ he said.
Conversely, Fiorentina is looking to reach their third straight Conference League final after falling short in the past two seasons. The Violets were denied by West Ham United in 2022-23 and Olympiacos in 2023-24, both matches decided by last-minute goals.
‘This is our opportunity to finish what we started,’ said Fiorentina’s manager Raffaele Palladino. ‘We are ready to challenge for the title this time.’
Fiorentina are on an impressive eight-match unbeaten run, having advanced past Panathinaikos and Celje in earlier knockout rounds. Despite this consistency, they will face some defensive challenges against a potent Betis attack led by Isco.
Isco, who has turned around his career with Betis, now plays a crucial role in their attacking strategies. ‘Stopping Isco will be key for us,’ Palladino highlighted, emphasizing the need for a solid midfield defense against the playmaker.
Betis may have to contend with player absences due to injuries, including Cédric Bakambu and others. Injured players will be missed in front of goal, raising concerns about the team’s scoring depth.
Kean, returning from personal matters, is expected to rejoin Fiorentina’s lineup alongside Gudmundsson upfront. His presence could be vital, but team officials are cautious about his readiness for match play.
Both teams will strategize to exploit each other’s weaknesses, with Betis expected to dominate possession. Meanwhile, Fiorentina’s best chance may come from counterattacks, capitalizing on any defensive errors by the hosts.
As traditions go, these two sides are meeting competitively for the first time, making this clash especially thrilling for fans. Betis are currently the favorites due to their combined home advantage and recent form.
With the stakes high for securing a place in the final next week, all eyes will be on Seville to witness which team will take the upper hand in this gripping semi-final encounter.
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