ADVERTISEMENT

PREVIEW-Soccer-Fiorentina chasing improbable Europa comeback

By Iain Rogers

MADRID, May 12 (Reuters) - Fiorentina must pull off a feat that has only been achieved once before if they are to get past Sevilla into the final of the Europa League when the holders visit the Tuscan capital on Thursday.

Florence-based Fiorentina were thumped 3-0 by the Andalusian club in their semi-final, first leg in Seville last week and will have to match another Spanish side, Valencia, if they are to make the showpiece in Warsaw on May 27.

Valencia hammered FC Basel 5-0 after extra time in the second leg of their quarter-final last season to become the only team to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit in a knockout tie in Europe's second-tier club competition.

"We know it's a difficult task but it's not impossible," Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade said after Sunday's 3-2 Serie A win at Empoli.

ADVERTISEMENT

"This is a team that always manages to bounce back and always shows the necessary sacrifice," he added.

"Our stadium has been our strength in recent years and we'll need the fans more than ever on Thursday."

Sevilla, meanwhile, are firmly on course to win a record fourth UEFA Cup/Europa League title, eclipsing Inter Milan, Juventus and Liverpool, who all have three.

The La Liga side won back-to-back UEFA Cups in 2006 and 2007 and beat Benfica on penalties in Turin to secure the renamed trophy last term.

Another triumph would secure them a lucrative berth in the group stage of next season's Champions League.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sevilla are fifth in La Liga with two games left and still have a chance of overhauling Valencia and securing fourth, which carries a place in the playoff round of Europe's elite club competition.

"There are two ways we can get into the Champions League and we'll just take each game at a time," Sevilla forward Kevin Gameiro said after Sunday's 1-1 La Liga draw at Celta Vigo.

"Anything can happen in football and we know we are going to have to suffer (on Thursday)," added the Frenchman.

Fiorentina's Serie A rivals Napoli play at Ukrainian side Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in Thursday's other semi-final, second leg after last week's clash in Naples ended 1-1. (Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Lagos VIS seizes 50 unroadworthy vehicles in enforcement operation

Lagos VIS seizes 50 unroadworthy vehicles in enforcement operation

Aiyedatiwa sends 12 commissioner nominees to Ondo Assembly for confirmation

Aiyedatiwa sends 12 commissioner nominees to Ondo Assembly for confirmation

Woman saves animal from the streets — then she finds out it is something else

Woman saves animal from the streets — then she finds out it is something else

Alake calls on Badaru to fish out illegal miners, violators of mining laws

Alake calls on Badaru to fish out illegal miners, violators of mining laws

Divers find bodies of 2 people who drowned after Baltimore bridge collapsed

Divers find bodies of 2 people who drowned after Baltimore bridge collapsed

INEC rejects LP's National convention in Anambra, questions venue change

INEC rejects LP's National convention in Anambra, questions venue change

8 people including professor declared wanted over killing of 17 soldiers

8 people including professor declared wanted over killing of 17 soldiers

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT