Vincenzo Italiano explains his surprising Fiorentina picks for the Conference League tie with Maccabi Haifa and the ‘horrible feeling’ of his first ever touchline ban.
It kicks off at the Stadio Franchi at 17.45 GMT.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Slavia Praha-Milan, Atalanta-Sporting and Brighton-Roma on the LIVEBLOG.
The Viola won 4-3 on neutral turf in Budapest last Thursday with the last-gasp Antonin Barak strike completing the turnaround against 10 men.
Italiano will not be on the bench this evening, as for the first time in his career, the coach is sitting out a touchline ban.
“It’s a horrible feeling. I did everything to avoid feeling this sensation over the years and from the next game I’ll do it even harder, because not being allowed to get near the lads or the pitch is something I never experienced it before,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.
There were quite a few surprises in the starting XI today, including Andrea Belotti, Nico Gonzalez and Antonin Barak, leaving Lucas Beltran and M’Bala Nzola on the bench.
“My only doubt was between Barak and Beltran, but I see Toni in good shape and if he can raise his level in this game, it will be an important boost. I said many times that Lucas has changed, his mentality improved and he can give a big contribution off the bench. It is not just those who start who can decide a match.
“When you have the height of Barak, then that can also help on set plays. We made mistakes on dead-ball situations in the first leg, they have two very tall centre-backs, that striker, and also some midfielders who push forward. We allowed two corners in the first leg and conceded from one of them, we know it is important to limit the number of free kicks and corners that we give away.”
Maccabi Haifa were expected to be more of a pushover, but were leading twice in Budapest before Fiorentina eventually won 4-3.
“The risks are that this team managed to overturn a negative first leg result twice in seven attempts. They have physicality, strength, an excellent centre-forward who holds up the ball. These are the classic dangers of a European fixture.
“I reminded the lads that last season several times we thought the job was done and then risked throwing it all away. We must learn from those experiences and avoid the same mistakes, above all try to score goals tonight.”