Real Betis and Fiorentina Set to Clash in Conference League Semi-Final
The stage is set for a thrilling encounter at the Estadio Benito Villamarin as Real Betis host Fiorentina in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final. According to Sports Mole, the hosts are riding high on confidence after their 3-1 win in the quarter-finals, while the visitors are looking to reach their third successive final in this competition.
Real Betis have had an inconsistent 2024-25 campaign, but have shown significant improvement in recent weeks, with just one loss in their last 13 matches across all competitions. This resurgence has propelled them to sixth in La Liga, eight points clear of seventh-placed Celta Vigo and just one point outside of the top five. Sports Mole reports that manager Manuel Pellegrini will be delighted with his side’s efforts to reach this stage, and they will now be aiming to secure a major European trophy for the first time in their history.
Fiorentina, on the other hand, are one of the most experienced sides in this competition, having reached the final in each of the last two seasons. They were devastatingly defeated 2-1 by West Ham United in the final of 2022-23 and lost 1-0 to Olympiacos in 2023-24. Sports Mole states that Raffaele Palladino, having been appointed in July 2024, will be determined to achieve what those before him could not – leading Fiorentina to Conference League glory this season.
The Violets have certainly shown their experience and quality in this competition this term, including a third-placed finish in the League Phase, while they also eliminated Panathinaikos in the round of 16 and Celje in the quarter-finals. Sports Mole notes that those results have coincided with a run of nine matches without a defeat for the Violets, who have managed six wins and three draws in that time.
In terms of team news, Real Betis are anticipated to be without Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, and Ezequiel Avila due to ongoing injury issues. Sports Mole reports that Antony has starred since his arrival on loan from Manchester United in January, contributing five goals and four assists, and the winger is expected to play alongside Isco, Jesus Rodriguez, and Cedric Bakambu in attack.
As for Fiorentina, Edoardo Bove, Dodo, and Andrea Colpani are unexpected to feature, while the remainder of the squad should be available for selection. Sports Mole states that Moise Kean has been absent since participating in the second leg of their quarter-final victory over Celje, but the striker should be back in the side on Thursday.
In a predicted lineup, Sports Mole suggests that Real Betis could line up with Adrian; Sabaly, Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez; Johnny, Fornals; Antony, Isco, Rodriguez; Bakambu, while Fiorentina could field De Gea; Pongracic, Comuzzo, Ranieri; Folorunsho, Mandragora, Cataldi, Fagioli, Gosens; Kean, Gudmundsson.
In conclusion, Sports Mole predicts a hard-fought draw between the two sides, with a predicted score of 1-1. The hosts will dominate the ball, but Fiorentina’s experience competing at this stage of the competition may give them the upper-hand. As reported by Sports Mole, this promises to be a thrilling encounter, and fans will be eagerly anticipating the outcome.
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