Club Brugge vs Fiorentina 

There’s still everything to play for in a breathless Europa Conference League semi-final tie between Club Brugge and Fiorentina following the Italians’ 3-2 win in the first leg. The Belgians will take the Jan Breydel Stadion pitch to turn the tables on last season’s beaten finalists. 

Fiorentina temporarily broke the perfect harmony Club Brugge have established since interim boss Nicky Hayen took the reins in mid-March, inflicting the only defeat on the Jupiler Pro League title hopefuls in ten games under his stewardship (W8, D1). Hayen solidified his pursuit of a permanent job at the Jan Breydel Stadion with a 2-1 away league win against Royal Antwerp over the weekend. Back to the comforts of their home, where they’ve won their last six competitive games, including two in the Europa Conference League ‘to nil,’ the hosts are confident of overhauling a narrow first-leg deficit. More inspiration stems from Club Brugge’s incredible run of eight consecutive unbeaten home matches in this competition (W6, D2), bookended by four wins on the trot. 

Meanwhile, Fiorentina’s underwhelming 2-1 loss at Serie A relegation fighters Hellas Verona last weekend has heightened the pressure on Vincenzo Italiano’s side to go one better than in 2022/23 when they lost the Conference League final to West Ham. Lifting their first piece of silverware since 2000/01 is now La Viola’s only chance to play in Europe next term. The visitors will take this trip in a buoyant mood after setting a club record for the longest unbeaten streak in European football of 12 matches (W7, D5). However, they can’t afford to get too complacent, considering they’ve struggled on their recent travels, picking up just one win from their last seven competitive away fixtures (D3, L3). Losing just once in six Conference League outings on the road this season (W2, D3) should be enough to settle Fiorentina’s nerves.