Fiorentina warn Real Betis ‘most difficult Conference League semi-final’ | OneFootball

Fiorentina director Alessandro Ferrari feels the clash with Real Betis is ‘the toughest Conference League semi-final on paper’ compared to the last two years, a sign of the tournament growing.

It kicks off at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in Seville at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT, 21.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The decider will be at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Thursday May 8.

Betis a tricky customer for Fiorentina

GIRONA, SPAIN – APRIL 21: Manuel Pellegrini, Head Coach of Real Betis, looks on prior to the LaLiga match between Girona FC and Real Betis Balompie at Montilivi Stadium on April 21, 2025 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

“The President is very fired up, he returned to America, but it’s as if he was here, he keeps calling,” Ferrari told Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s exciting to be here, it is an important match, with over 50,000 people in the stands, so it is a unique atmosphere. Compared to the other two semi-finals, this is the toughest on paper, which means the Conference League is a tournament to be considered. Just look at the fact Chelsea are in the other semi-final.”

The winner of this semi-final will face either Chelsea or Djurgarden in the Conference League Final on May 21.

On their way to the Final in 2023, Fiorentina had to beat FC Basel, while in 2024 they saw off Club Brugge.

Fiorentina back in Conference League semi-final

Fiorentina’s Rolando Mandragora (L) celebrates after scoring a goal against Vitoria Guimaraes during the UEFA Conference League soccer match held at D.Afonso Henriques Stadium, in Guimaraes, Portugal, 19 December 2024. EPA-EFE/HUGO DELGADO

There was one huge doubt going into the game, as Kean missed a week of training and two matches while he was in Paris dealing with a family matter, so he is not risked from the start.

Instead, Albert Gudmundsson is partnered by Lucas Beltran, hoping to get Kean back to full fitness and focus for Sunday’s Serie A match against Roma and next Thursday’s second leg decider.

“Moise returned, we stood by his side, it’s important to know he is with us, but he only had one and a half training sessions. Those who replaced him did well, so it’s only right to use this starting XI. It is a very united group and those who aren’t in the squad, like Cher Ndour and Edoardo Bove, are still here with us because they wanted to be there.”