Maccabi Haifa hope to stun Fiorentina on Thursday when they take on the Italian side in their Europa Conference League last-16 first-leg clash at Bozsik Arena.
The Israeli side defeated Gent 2-1 on aggregate in the playoffs after dropping down from the Europa League, while Vincenzo Italiano's troops are on a mission to make another final after the previous season's loss at the last hurdle.
Match preview
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Messay Dego's men could only secure five points in their Europa League group-stage campaign, significantly shy of Villarreal (13) and Rennes (12), thus seeing them fall into the Conference League.
They avoided the ignominy of exiting Europe entirely after eliminating Belgian side Gent in the playoff round and face possibly the competition's favourites alongside Aston Villa, keen to land a punch on last year's runners-up.
The Greens head into this week's fixture in fine form, underscored by an eight-match undefeated run since a 2-1 loss at the home of Hapoel Be'er Sheva on January 31.
Only two of those games did not end in victories, emphasising Maccabi's performances and results since the start of February, and they hope to continue that unbeaten streak in March.
The Israeli side proved themselves capable against Serie A opponents in last season's Champions League — the Greens beat Juventus 2-0 on their turf — and seek another scalp this week against Fiorentina.
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I Viola are on a mission to secure a continental title, having gone close last season before defeat in the final against West Ham prevented Italiano's men from securing a European crown for the first time since the 1960-61 campaign in the defunct Cup Winners' Cup.
Italiano's men went unbeaten in their Conference League group, but three draws and as many defeats meant the club from Florence accrued 12 points, a joint-lowest points tally for the competition's group-stage winner — Fenerbahce also had 12.
Fiorentina's experience navigating the Conference League knockout phase should stand them in good stead over their tie with Maccabi, even if that alone will not be enough to surmount the Israeli club.
This is an upshot of the Serie A side's mixed form heading into the game, further casting doubts over Italiano's men, who have won three of 11 games in all competitions in 2024, with one of those victories being Coppa Italia success against Bologna on penalties.
The Viola hope a return to continental football motivates them to improve performances, but the Serie A side must raise their game to avoid a sixth defeat in the new year.
Team News
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Frantzdy Pierrot, scorer of both Maccabi goals in their 2-1 aggregate win over Gent, is the undoubted star player for the home side on Thursday.
Daniel Sundgren was sent off in the reverse fixture in Belgium, thus ruling out the defender against Fiorentina.
Ali Mohamed is doubtful after his 26th-minute exit against Hapoel Hadera at the weekend.
Lucas Martinez Quarta and Christian Kouame are touch-and-go for Tuesday, while Oliver Christensen and Gaetano Castrovilli are expected to be sidelined for a few more weeks.
Quarta's goals from defence could be missed against Maccabi, especially as Fiorentina's leading goalscorer is Luca Ranieri (three goals), while Lucas Beltran and Jonathan Ikone have two each.
Maccabi Haifa possible starting lineup:
Kaiuf; Feingold, Seck, Goldberg; Khalaili, Kasa, Show, Cornud; Kinda, Refaelov; Pierrot
Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
Terracciano; Kayode, Milenkovic, Ranieri, Biraghi; Bonaventura, Arthur; Gonzalez, Beltran, Sottil; Belotti
We say: Maccabi Haifa 1-1 Fiorentina
The spoils could be shared in the first leg of this tie, leaving both sides with everything to play for in next week's reverse fixture in Florence.
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