Fiorentina host Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League on Thursday hoping to keep their unbeaten record in the quarter-finals tie of this competition. The first leg ended 1-1, so Fiorentina have a slight advantage as they could qualify on away goals in case of a goalless draw. Dynamo Kiev have never defeated Fiorentina in an European competition, the Italians won two of the previous meetings while the other three were draws.
Fiorentina are unbeaten in nine games against Ukrainian opponents and have never lost an Europa League quarter-final tie. They were close to a defeat in the first leg though as Khouma Babacar netted the equaliser during stoppage time. Fiorentina suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat against Verona on Monday, a result that pushed them out of the Serie A Champions League qualification race. The Europa League remains their only chance of winning a trophy this season and their only possible ticket to next season's Champions League. Babacar could miss out due to a knee injury while Milan Badelj and David Pizarro are also in doubt.
Dynamo Kiev have a good record of overturning negative first-leg results, they have lost their opening games against both Guingamp and Everton and then turned things around in the second leg. The main difference is that in both cases the second leg was at home. Yevhen Makarenko will be out of contention for the visitors but Miguel Veloso could make his return after missing the first leg.
Probable line-ups:
Fiorentina: Neto - Rodriguez, Savic, Alonso, Tomovic - Badelj, Fernandez, Joaquin, Valero - Gomez, Salah
Dynamo Kiev: Shovkovskiy - Silva, Antunes, Dragovic, Khacheridi - Sydorchuk, Rybalka, Buyalskiy - Lens, Yarmolenko, Teodorczyk
My prediction: Fiorentina to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Fiorentina win - 1.75 Draw - 3.80 Dynamo win - 5.25
timidi 8 years ago
Fiorentina was big favorite before this match and they won easy - 2:0. They were better, they had more chances and they controlled the ball all game and they deserved this win. In semi finals they have hard task to beat Sevilla if they want to play in final but no matter what they do this is big success so far for them...
Fiorentina was big favorite before this match and they won easy - 2:0. They were better, they had more chances and they controlled the ball all game and they deserved this win. In semi finals they have hard task to beat Sevilla if they want to play in final but no matter what they do this is big success so far for them and they can be satisfied with this season.
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seculla
8 years ago
Even before the start of the match I was sure that Fiorentina will beat Dynamo Kiev in Florence and after red card of Lens I was even more sure. After just two minutes Mario Gomez gave Fiorentina the lead and it was almost clear that they will qualify in the semi finals. In second half Fiorentina played even better, they...
Even before the start of the match I was sure that Fiorentina will beat Dynamo Kiev in Florence and after red card of Lens I was even more sure. After just two minutes Mario Gomez gave Fiorentina the lead and it was almost clear that they will qualify in the semi finals. In second half Fiorentina played even better, they had many chances but they didn't realize them and in last 10 minutes of the match all those missed opportunities could be easily punished from Dynamo's players. Vargas scored very beautiful goal in 94 minute and Fiorentina qualified into the semi finals, where they will play against Sevilla.
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rikimartin4444_115925
8 years ago
Another match where I hit the exact result. Fiorentina is routinely played in the match and went to the semifinals. They played strong from beginning of the match, attacking and deserved the win. Europa League for Fiorentina is essential, since it is the only way to reach the Champions League next season. They are playing...
Another match where I hit the exact result. Fiorentina is routinely played in the match and went to the semifinals. They played strong from beginning of the match, attacking and deserved the win. Europa League for Fiorentina is essential, since it is the only way to reach the Champions League next season. They are playing great football and it will be interesting to see who will be their opponent in the semifinals.
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rikimartin4444_115925
8 years ago
Fiorentina is the absolute favorite of the new menu. After a late goal they scored in injury time of the first game, Fiorentina will chase victory at home to ensure passage into the Europa League semi-finals. On the other hand, Dinamo Kiev will try to achieve this goal, because it is the only way to go still. I'm not sure...
Fiorentina is the absolute favorite of the new menu. After a late goal they scored in injury time of the first game, Fiorentina will chase victory at home to ensure passage into the Europa League semi-finals. On the other hand, Dinamo Kiev will try to achieve this goal, because it is the only way to go still. I'm not sure that it will succeed in doing so. My prediction is 2-0 Fiorentina win.
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sharpe
8 years ago
Without a doubt Fiorentina have to be consider for a favourite in the clash, especially after the result from the first game. But the fact that there is a two Ukrainian teams at this stage in the tournament shows that they playing good football and for me the surprise is possible in this game.
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seculla
8 years ago
Just like Johnajax said, Fiorentina is way better team and they have way better players than their opponents. Dynamo had the minimal lead in Kiev and than in 92' minute Babacar scored for draw. Anyway, it will be tough match, but I believe that Fiorentina will win and they will play in the semi finals in this year's UEFA...
Just like Johnajax said, Fiorentina is way better team and they have way better players than their opponents. Dynamo had the minimal lead in Kiev and than in 92' minute Babacar scored for draw. Anyway, it will be tough match, but I believe that Fiorentina will win and they will play in the semi finals in this year's UEFA Europa League.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
Fiorentina is better team with more quality players than Dynamo Kiev and I think that they will win tonight pretty easy. They play at home and with players like Gomez, Salah, Joaquin, Valero they have big advantage in attack. Dynamo is in race for the domestic title and next weekend they have match against Shakhtar and...
Fiorentina is better team with more quality players than Dynamo Kiev and I think that they will win tonight pretty easy. They play at home and with players like Gomez, Salah, Joaquin, Valero they have big advantage in attack. Dynamo is in race for the domestic title and next weekend they have match against Shakhtar and I think that match is more important for them and I think that they are thinking only about that match.
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