Consecutive UEFA Europa League finalist Fiorentina traveled to Spain to win Real Betis in the first leg of their semi-final tie. Thursday's encounter at Estadio Benito Villamarin marked the first competitive meeting between the two teams, even though they faced each other twice in a friendly match.

The record is perfect, with Betis defeating 2-1 in 2014 with a 3-1 home win in 2022. However, this is a completely different proposition. Manuel Pellegrini's allegations have taken over Poland's Jagiellonia Białystok in the quarterfinals, which has given them acquiring club history as they reached the semifinals of the major UEFA tournament for the first time.

Betis won the first leg at home with two goals, gaining a crucial advantage before Poland tied with a 1-1 draw. These results form an impressive part of Los Verdiblancos's defeat in only one time in the last 13 games of all competitions. Additionally, Betis' revival has allowed them to position them well in a strong first five games in La Liga.

Like their masters, Fiorentina can still hope to qualify for the Europa League through their Serie A, as they trail fifth Bologna with only two points to enter the final four rounds. However, after the collapse of the past two campaigns, the charges of Raffaele Palladino remained the top priority for Raffaele Palladino.

Perhaps the third time could be La Viola's charm, who squeezed out Celje 4-3 in the quarterfinals to build this draw. Despite their long history in the third inning in Europe, they still face long odds in this semifinal.

Match preview

The real Betis

Although this is a harsh test by Betis in the conference league, their huge record in the knockout stage this season has expressed a lot. Before Jagiellonia was removed, they beat Gent 3-1 in the knockout playoffs and 6-2 against Vitoria Guimaraes in 16 rounds.

Betis can be unbeaten from five games against the Italian opposition (W3, D2) as they write a new chapter in the club's history. Additionally, defeating Fiorentina will be the first Spanish team to make its debut in the conference league finals and ensure a vital first leg advantage.

The men of Pellegrini lost only one family outing this semester (W4, D2) and they won four in the last five games of Benito Villamarin (L1). Los Verdiblancos has taken action from the start, already opening up scores in ten of their previous 11 European fixtures, highlighting the potential for a quick start.

Florence

Saturday's 2-1 victory over Empoli made Fiorentina's inspiring match unbeaten (W6, D3) nine consecutive games, setting them nicely for the trip. However, history does not favor Fiorentina in this game, not only because they have won only two of their previous 14 matches against the La Liga opposition (D4, L8).

As if that wasn't worrying enough, their last European two-foot showdown against Spanish opponents in the 2014/15 European Union, causing a total loss of 5-0 defeat against Betis' crosstown rival Sevilla, which blew it into the lightning strike before this trip. However, they can gain confidence from their recent conference alliance experience.

Palladino has performed better than his predecessor Vincenzo Italiano, and this semester seems to have laid the foundation for Fiorentina's long-awaited European success. However, there is still plenty of room for improvement on the road. Indeed, the Fiorentina Giants’ indifferent record in the conference league this season (W2, D1, L2) has brought cautious attention.

Team News

Betis will not have three first teams here, while Chimy Avila, Diego Llorente and Marc Roca are still on the court. Pellegrini omitted long-term service staunch William Carvalho from his European football club (Uefa Squad), while winter joined Cucho Hernandez ineligible for the match.

On the other hand, Fiorentina made this trip without the dodo, Pablo Mari and Andrea Colpani. With the Spanish defender being ruled out, Paladino may turn to Pietro Comuzzo to fill the defensive gap. Meanwhile, Albert Gudmundsson and Moise Kean may lead the line.

Real Betis vs Fiorentina's potential start lineup

The real Bessi (4-2-3-1): Adrian; Sabali, Batra, Nathan, Rodriguez; Johnny, Forner; Anthony, Isco, Rodris; Bakambubu.

Florence (3-5-2): de gea; Pongracic, Comuzzo, Ranieri; Folorunshi, Mandragora, Cataldi, Fagioli, Gosens; Keane, Goodmonson.

Real Betis vs Fiorentina prediction

Despite Betis' outstanding home record, Fiorentina's experience in the match stages may bring state-of-the-art advantages, although there may not be a victory in Sevilla. But La Viola should at least be able to avoid failures at Benito Villamarin.

Prediction: Draw

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