Club Brugge vs Fiorentina Predicted XIs and Team News
Club Brugge and Fiorentina will battle for a place in the Europa Conference League final when they play their semi-final second leg at the Jan Breydel Stadium on Wednesday.
The Italian side snatched a slender advantage in the final moments of their home leg last week, winning 3-2 thanks to a goal from M’Bala Nzola in added time.
The second leg is set to kick off at 17:45 on May 8th and will be shown live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.
Belgians banking on home form to see them through
Club Brugge put in an admirable performance in the first leg, equalising twice and riding out the dismissal of midfielder Raphael Onyedika after 61 minutes to stay in the tie, but they will again have to rely on their home form in their bid to reach the final.
The Belgians are aiming to make their first European final since losing to Liverpool in the 1978 European Cup and will have confidence that they can perform for their fans after winning their last four home legs in this competition.
Brugge beat Lugano, Bodo/Glimt, Molde and PAOK Salonika in their home fixtures to reach the semi-finals and have lost just once in 15 home Jupiler Pro League matches this season.
Their last three matches have been on the road, but they have won to nil in their three most recent home games, beating Salonika 1-0, Royal Antwerp 3-0 and Genk 4-0.
Brugge’s Andreas Skov Olsen said the players will be looking to get a boost from their fans in the second leg at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
“We want to go all out to reach the final of the Europa Conference League. It will be anything but a breeze but, backed by our 12th man, we should do everything we can to give it our very best,” said the Danish winger.
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Club Brugge vs Fiorentina Team News
Club Brugge have suffered a blow before the second leg with the news that left-back Bjorn Meijer suffered a serious knee injury that requires surgery. Maxim De Cuyper is likely to replace him.
Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika is suspended after being sent off in the first leg having picked up two quick yellow cards, which could mean a start for Hugo Vetlesen.
The Belgian side also have a choice to make about their goalkeeper as Nordin Jackers has been bothered by a minor strain, with veteran former Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet being their other option.
Fiorentina also have issues as Riccardo Sottil, who fired home a great goal in the first leg, is out of contention due to a broken collarbone and Gaetano Castrovilli, who started against Verona on Sunday is not in their Conference League squad. Christian Kouame could get his chance to start as a result.
Club Brugge vs Fiorentina Predicted XIs:
Club Brugge (4-2-3-1): Jackers; Sabbe, Spileers, Mechele, De Cuyper; Odoi, Vetlesen; Skov Olsen, Vanaken, Jutgla; Thiago.
Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): Terracciano; Dodo, Martinez, Ranieri, Biraghi; Bonaventura, Arthur; Gonzalez, Beltran, Kouame; Belotti.
