The UEFA Europa Conference League is down to the final four. Fiorentina will battle FC Basel in one of the semifinals, while West Ham will play AZ Alkmaar in the other.
Fiorentina and Basel have played just twice previously in European competition. The teams met during the 2015-16 Europa League. FC Basel won in Florence 2-1 before drawing 2-2 in Switzerland.
A long time has passed since then, and the previous Europa League meeting should have no impact on Thursday night’s match at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Fiorentina are not in good form ahead of the match with Basel. The team failed to win its last two Serie A fixtures.
However, an argument can be made that Fiorentina have nothing to play for in Serie A and are aiming to win the Conference League and the Coppa Italia – as they are in the final of that competition. Fiorentina are coming off a league loss to Serie A champion Napoli, 1-0.
La Viola defeated Poland’s Lech Poznan in the quarterfinals 7-3 on aggregate. Fiorentina won the first leg 4-1 but fell 3-2 in the second leg at home.
FC Basel are also coming off a domestic defeat at the weekend. The Red and Blue fell 2-0 at home to FC Zurich. The defeat ended a two-match winning streak.
The Swiss club reached the semifinals of the Conference League by defeating Ligue 1’s Nice in the quarterfinals. The teams drew the first leg 2-2 in Switzerland before finishing 1-1 in the second leg. Basel’s Jean-Kevin Augustin scored in the 86th minute to force extra time.
In the overtime period, Basel’s Kasim Nuhu scored the winning goal to send the Swiss team into the semifinals. The odds are stacked against Basel, as the Swiss league is considered a second or third-tier European football league.
Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano has two players on the injury list ahead of Thursday night. Forward Arthur Cabral has been ruled out with a muscle injury. Goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu is also ruled out following an Achilles tendon injury.
Basel started the season with former player Alexander Frei as manager. He was let go in February during a run of poor form. Heiko Vogel has been in charge since.
Vogel has three players nursing injuries and fighting for match fitness. Defenders Riccardo Calafori and Andy Pelmard are bout doubts to make the team. Midfielder Fabian Frei could miss the fixture due to a back injury.
Fiorentina are playing the first leg at home, which should give them a boost against the Swiss club. FC Basel did not win either of their quarterfinal matches in regular time. Fiorentina should post a 3-1 win and take a step toward the Conference League final.
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