The Conference League is back and Fiorentina is also back on the pitch, playing in Cyprus in the third round of the European competition against Apoel Nicosia at the GSP Stadium.
Palladino’s team is in a golden period, 7 consecutive victories collected by Viola in the last month between the championship and European cups, which are temporarily worth the fourth place in Serie A and second in the Conference.
The hosts are third in the Cypriot First Division, behind Aris Limassol and Pafos. The team coached by the Spaniard Manolo Jiménez, who replaced the sacked José Dominguez and former manager of, among others, Seville and AEK Athens, has just returned from a goalless draw in the league against Apollon Limassol and has collected only one point until now in the Conference League (debut draw against Shamrock Rover and 0-1 defeat against Bosnian Borac on the second day).
It will be the first clash in history between Fiorentina and Apoel Nicosia and UEFA has entrusted the management of the match to an all-French refereeing team: the chosen whistle is François Letexiermatch director of the EURO 2024 final between Spain and England. His assistants will be Mugnier and Rahmouni. Fourth man Stinat, the Dechepy-Pignard couple at the Var.
HOW APOEL NICOSIA ARRIVES – Manolo Jiménez is ready to line up his team with the 4-2-3-1: Belec between the posts, Chebake on the right, Petrovic and Laifis in the center of defense and Susic on the left; Abagna and Tejera in midfield and forward Pizzi, Meyer and Marquinhos will support the lone striker El Arabi.
HOW FIORENTINA ARRIVES – Turnover for Palladino given the many close commitments and in view of the championship match against Verona: Terracciano should take Dea Gea’s place in goal, Kayode favorite over Dodó e Biraghi on Gosens on the flanks. To complete the defense Martinez Quarta and Moreno more than Pongracic. Rest shift for Bove and injured Cataldi, keys to the midfield entrusted to Richardson and Mandragorawith Adli in the role of attacking midfielder. At his sides Ikoné and Subtilwill be Kouame the purple attachment pin. Starting bench for Beltran, Colpani. Moise Kean not called up..