Robeto Piccoli is expected to start at centre-forward for Fiorentina in the absence of Italy international Moise Kean as the Viola prepare to take on Rakow Czestochowa in the Conference League on Thursday evening. 

The Conference League has been a rare source of victories for Fiorentina in 2025-26. Paolo Vanoli’s side beat Polish opposition in Jagiellonia Białystok by a 5-4 scoreline over two legs of the play-offs in order to qualify for tonight’s round of 16 tie. 

Rakow Czestochowa finished the league phase in second place and qualified directly for the round of 16 as a result. 

Fiorentina are without Kean in attack. The Italy man is in contention to return against Cremonese in Serie A on Monday evening instead. Compatriot Piccoli is expected to start at centre-forward instead. 

Vanoli is expected to rest Dodo, Nicolo Fagioli and give an opportunity to goalkeeper Oliver Christensen instead of David De Gea. 

According to Sky Sport Italia, Fabiano Parisi and Jacopo Fazzini could also start in attack in a fairly heavily rotated Viola side.

Kick-off is due at 19.45 GMT. 

Fiorentina vs. Rakow Czestochowa: Probable line-ups 

Fiorentina (4-3-3): Christensen; Fortini, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens; Fabbian, Mandragora, Ndour; Parisi, Piccoli, Fazzini. 

Rakow (3-4-2-1): Zych; Mozor, Svarnas, Racovitan; Tudor, Repka, Struski, Ameyaw; Ibid, Makuch; Brunes.

Where to watch Fiorentina vs. Rakow Czestochowa

Tonight’s game will be available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports 6 and online through Discovery+. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+. 

Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game commentary and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli says the club’s medical staff is assessing Moise Kean ‘day by day’ and hopes the Italian striker will be available for the next crucial Serie A match against Cremonese.

Fiorentina star Kean will miss tomorrow’s Conference League Round of 16 first leg game against Rakow, Vanoli confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday.

Kean to miss Fiorentina vs. Rakow

“We are continuing with a recovery process and evaluating him day by day. The target is to have him in Cremona,” the Viola coach said via TMW.

Kean has sustained a fibula injury, and Fiorentina hope he’ll be back for the next Serie A match away at Cremonese. It’s a crucial fixture for the Tuscans, who are just one point above the Grigiorossi in the relegation zone.

Gudmundsson is expected to be available tomorrow but is not in his best shape.

“Right now, he must regain full fitness after an ankle problem. He misses being decisive, but he still does important things,” Vanoli said.

“I like him more in his new role than as a support striker. He must only find that spark; we know he can be decisive in the final games.

“We are focused on this game. The Conference League is an important trophy that we want to honour and go as far as possible. We find a team that did very well in the league phase. They defend well and have only conceded two goals. We must think that we’ll play across two games, so we have to be smart. We’ll think about Cremonese on Friday.”

The Champions League, Europa League and Conference League knock-out draws are complete, and now, the times and dates for each of the upcoming round of 16 ties have been confirmed as well. Here are the key dates for Atalanta, Roma, Bologna and Fiorentina fans to mark down in their diaries. 

The Champions League, Europa League and Conference League draws took place at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday, following the completion of the play-off rounds earlier this week. 

You can see how the draw unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Atalanta are the only Italian team left standing in the Champions League after Napoli’s league phase elimination and the exits of both Inter and Juventus in the play-offs earlier this week. La Dea will go up against Borussia Dortmund over two legs of the round of 16. 

Two Italian teams remain in the Europa League in Roma and Bologna, but they have been drawn against each other in the round of 16, meaning there is a guarantee of an Italian side in the quarter-finals, but only one. 

Fiorentina, meanwhile, have a tough task ahead of them in the Conference League round of 16, where they will go up against Raków Częstochowa, who finished the league phase in second place, in the round of 16.

Key Atalanta dates 

Round of 16 first leg: Tuesday March 10, 2026 @ 20.00 GMT (at home against Bayern Munich)

Round of 16 second leg: Wednesday March 18 @ 20.00 GMT (away against Bayern Munich)

Quarter-final first legs: Tuesday April 7 and Wednesday April 8 

Quarter-final second legs: Tuesday April 14 and Wednesday April 15 

Semi-final first legs: Tuesday April 28 and Wednesday April 29 

Semi-final second legs: Tuesday May 5 and Wednesday May 6

Final: Saturday May 30. 

Key Roma and Bologna dates 

Round of 16 first leg: Thursday March 12 @ 17.45 GMT (at the Dall’Ara)

Round of 16 second leg: Thursday March 19 @ 20.00 GMT (at the Stadio Olimpico)

Quarter-final first legs: Thursday April 9

Quarter-final second legs: Thursday April 16

Semi-final first legs: Thursday April 30 

Semi-final second legs: Thursday May 7 

Final: Wednesday May 20. 

Key Fiorentina dates 

Round of 16 first leg: Thursday March 12 @ 20.00 GMT (at home at the Stadio Franchi)

Round of 16 second leg: Thursday March 19 @ 17.45 GMT (away at the Miejski Stadion Piłkarski Raków)

Quarter-final first legs: Thursday April 9

Quarter-final second legs: Thursday April 16

Semi-final first legs: Thursday April 30 

Semi-final second legs: Thursday May 7 

Final: Wednesday May 27.

The Conference League knock-out round draw is now complete and Fiorentina have discovered that they will go up against Raków Częstochowa over two legs of the round of 16 in March. 

The draws for the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League knock-out took place at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday. 

You can see how the draws unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Fiorentina learn Conference League round of 16 opponents

Fiorentina finished the Conference League league phase in 15th place with three wins and three losses to their name after six matches. 

That was enough to secure a spot in the play-off round, where they narrowly got past Jagiellonia on a 5-4 aggregate scoreline. Their second leg in Tuscany was taken to extra-time on Thursday night, despite the fact that the Viola were 3-0 up after the first leg. 

Fiorentina have since learned that they will go up against another Polish opponent in Raków Częstochowa in the round of 16. Rakow finished the league phase in second place and were one of only three sides in the Conference League to go unbeaten over their first six matches, with four wins and two draws to their name so far in this season’s competition. 

The winner of this tie will go on to face either Crystal Palace or AEK Larnaca in the quarter-final. The winner of that quarter-final will go on to play either Lech Poznan, Shakhtar Donetsk, AZ Alkmaar or Sparta Prague. 

Atalanta, Roma, Bologna and Fiorentina will discover their opponents in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League in Friday’s UEFA draws, as Italian football enters the Round of 16.

There are still four representatives of Serie A in the knockout phase of the UEFA tournaments.

Atalanta overturned a 2-0 first leg deficit to eliminate Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League play-off, and will learn on Friday if they are to face Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the Round of 16.

UEFA could give us an Italian derby

There is a good chance of an Italian derby in the Europa League Round of 16, because Roma already went through as one of the top eight in the league phase.

Bologna eliminated SK Brann 2-0 on aggregate and will be paired either with Roma or SC Freiburg in Friday’s draw.

Roma’s situation is a little more complicated, as they might be drawn against Bologna or KRC Genk (who needed extra time to eliminate GNK Dinamo Zagreb).

Fiorentina are the sole Italian representatives in the Conference League, and squeezed past Jagiellonia in extra time, 5-4 on aggregate.

Their next test will be against either RC Strasbourg or Rakow in the last 16.

Champions League Last 16

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Newcastle, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Atalanta, PSG, Sporting CP, Bodo/Glimt, Galatasaray

Europa League Last 16

Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Freiburg, Stuttgart, Braga, Porto, Lyon, Lille, Celta Vigo, Real Betis, Bologna, Roma, Panathinaikos, Midtjylland, Genk, Ferencvaros

Conference League Last 16

Lech Poznan, Rakow, Sparta Prague, Sigma Olomouc, Crystal Palace, Rayo Vallecano, Mainz 05, Fiorentina, Strasbourg, AZ Alkmaar, Shakhtar Donetsk, Samsunspor, AEK Athens, Rijeka, AEK Larnaca, Celje

Paolo Vanoli explains where Fiorentina got it so very wrong in the Conference League play-off with Jagiellonia. ‘We had the first leg in our minds.’

This was meant to be a relatively simple evening after winning the first leg 3-0 in Poland, but it proved to be anything but, as Jagiellonia won 3-0 at the Stadio Franchi with a Bartosz Mazurek hat-trick to force extra time.

The Viola did squeeze through 5-4 on aggregate, as Nicolò Fagioli’s lob and a double deflection on Moise Kean’s strike from a corner got them over the line, despite David De Gea’s howler on Jesus Imaz.

Vanoli survived Fiorentina scare

“What I really didn’t want was to go to extra time,” confessed Vanoli on Sky Sport Italia.

“We’ve got to realise that no matter what the result of the first leg, this is a totally new and different match. I didn’t want us to waste energy ahead of a tough Serie A game with Udinese, and so extra time was really not helpful.

“Having said that, we mustn’t see everything negative. I prefer to see this as another valuable lesson, as the team did come out of its shell eventually.”

Fiorentina had seemingly found their form before this with three consecutive victories in all competition, but this was a huge step backwards in terms of attitude and concentration.

“I had told the players to be more careful, that we had only won the first leg thanks to three set play situations. We made the mistake of stepping onto the field with the first leg result in our minds, and made life unnecessarily complicated for ourselves.”

There were also more injury setbacks, as Luca Lezzerini and Manor Solomon went off with muscular issues, though Albert Gudmundsson made his comeback in extra time.

“Both Solomon and Lezzerini felt pain in the rectus femoris, so I doubt either will be available for Monday,” explained Vanoli.

“Gosens had trauma to his cheekbone in extra time too, so that needs to be evaluated by the medical staff.”

The Tuscans will now go into the Conference League Round of 16, and tomorrow in the draw they’ll discover if they are facing RC Strasbourg or Rakow.

“I like the Conference League, I think it helps give us experience to keep improving,” concluded Vanoli.

“We have to change mentality and attitude, because it is different to Serie A. Whoever we get in the draw, we’ll think about it after the Udinese match.”

Moise Kean and Giovanni Fabbian both believe the chaotic 5-4 aggregate win over Jagiellonia in the Conference League will be ‘a valuable lesson’ for Fiorentina, and discuss who scored the goal.

The Viola had thought the job was done for this play-off in the first leg when winning 3-0 in Poland, but threw it away by the 49^th minute to a Bartosz Mazurek hat-trick.

It went to extra time, where Nicolò Fagioli’s lob and a confusing double ricochet off Kean’s effort proved enough, despite David De Gea letting a Jesus Imaz long-range strike squirm in.

Fiorentina risked astonishing exit

“We were a little tired going into the game, but we still should’ve had clearer heads than this,” Kean told Sky Sport Italia after the final whistle and 120 minutes of football.

“We must always keep on learning from our mistakes. It is all about the mentality, we just have to improve on these situations.”

The goal on that corner was initially given to Kean, though it seemed to ricochet off Fabbian and then Jagiellonia midfielder Romanczuk.

“I have no idea who scored the goal, Fabbian told me he turned it in. The important thing is that we scored and went through,” shrugged Kean.

Just as Fiorentina had seemingly turned a corner with three consecutive victories in all competition, this was a big setback in terms of confidence and performance.

“On the goal, the ball definitely hit me. I don’t know if it was instinct or what, but I put my leg in there. The important thing is that we qualified,” Fabbian told Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s disappointing we got into this situation, we could’ve handled it better, and it all depends on us.

“We’ve got to build on the reaction and remember how many aspects we still need to work on, to keep improving. We need to give our all every time we set foot on the pitch. We know what our targets are and must be at the disposal of the coach.

“There are moments in football when you lose concentration, as games seem easy on paper, but there’s no such thing in the modern game. I think this will be a valuable lesson.”

Fiorentina threw away a 3-0 first leg lead to Bartosz Mazurek’s hat-trick, but eventually squeezed past Jagiellonia in extra time to reach the Conference League last 16.

The Viola finally found form with three consecutive wins in all competition, including a 3-0 first leg success in Poland. Jagiellonia welcomed back Afimico Pululu and Taras Romanczuk, who were suspended last week.

The winners will face either RC Strasbourg or Rakow in the Round of 16, with the draw on February 27.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Giovanni Fabbian almost managed to intercept a shaky back-pass, while Roberto Piccoli’s header from a corner was parried.

Slawomir Abramowicz got it all wrong playing out from the back, but made up for his error by making the save on Piccoli at the near post.

Instead, Jagiellonia got the opening goal when Bartosz Mazurek completed a give and go with Pululu, as Luca Lezzerini managed only to slow down the shot rather than keep it out.

Pululu’s header was too weak to trouble Lezzerini, but Jagiellonia lost Kamil Jozwiak to a groin injury after just 36 minutes.

Lezzerini punched a free kick into a crowd and was fortunate that Bernardo Vital ballooned the rebound over an empty net.

On the stroke of half-time, Jagiellonia reduced the aggregate deficit to just one goal, as Mazurek’s effort took a big deflection off Pietro Comuzzo to loop up into the net.

There was more bad news, as Lezzerini picked up a muscular injury and was replaced by David De Gea at half-time.

They came out with a different attitude and substitute Jack Harrison set up a Piccoli header well smothered, but were caught out on the counter to wipe out their first leg lead.

Piccoli wanted a free kick when losing the ball to spark the counter, but it was rolled across from the right, Pululu kept it going and Dodo slipped, allowing Mazurek to complete his hat-trick totally undisturbed at the back post from nine yards.

Nicolò Fagioli’s strike was deflected for a corner, while Manor Solomon’s attempt was charged down, with Fagioli blasting the rebound over.

Jagiellonia also threatened a fourth, but Imaz saw his first touch let him down on a smart through ball.

Piccoli nodded over from seven yards, although the cross was seemingly better placed for Fabbian behind him, and Moise Kean ballooned over from the edge of the box with the last kick of normal time.

It went to extra time, where Kean controlled with his back to goal to have a shot charged down, then scuffed another strike into the goalkeeper’s arms.

The impressive Solomon limped off injured for the return of Albert Gudmundsson, but Fiorentina finally restored their lead on aggregate.

It was a chaotic situation from goalkeeper Abramowicz, who wildly rushed out to punch clear and crashed into his own teammate, allowing Fagioli to intelligently lob into an empty net from the edge of the area.

Robin Gosens nearly scored another, forcing the fingertip save, and they netted on the resulting chaotic corner. Kean’s effort was probably going wide until it ricocheted in off Fabbian’s shin and then Romanczuk from point-blank range.

It still wasn’t over, as De Gea with an uncharacteristic howler completely failed to deal with a long-range Jesus Imaz strike and let it squirm over him.

Bernardo Vital let the situation get to him and received a second yellow card for insulting the referee.

Fiorentina 2-4 Jagiellonia aet (5-4 agg)

B Mazurek 23, 45+3, 49 (J), Fagioli 107 (F), Romanczuk og 114 (F), Imaz 118 (J)

Sent off: Bernardo Vital 120 (J)

26-02-2026 17:45

1/16 Final

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Jagiellonia Białystok

2 1

2 - 4

Player statistic

1st half

Pietro Comuzzo		7'
		17'		Kamil Jozwiak
		23'		Bartosz Mazurek
		45+3'		Bartosz Mazurek

2nd half

		49'		Bartosz Mazurek (Assist: Afimico Pululu)
		75'		Samed Bazdar
Marin Pongracic		77'

Extra time

		94'		Álex Pozo
Dodô		101'
		105+1'		Taras Romanczuk
Nicolò Fagioli		107'
		110'		Bernardo Vital
Taras Romanczuk		114'
		118'		Jesús Imaz (Assist: Andy Pelmard)
		120'		Bernardo Vital

Match statistic

50

Possession %

50

22

Total shots

15

8

Shots on target

10

9

Shots off target

5

5

Blocked shots

0

6

Corners

3

0

Offsides

1

20

Fouls

22

Fiorentina

Jagiellonia Białystok

Starting lineups

1

Luca Lezzerini

Goalkeeper

46'

2

Dodô

Defender

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

62'

29

Niccolò Fortini

Midfielder

46'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

62'

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

89'

50

Slawomir Abramowicz

Goalkeeper

70

Andy Pelmard

Defender

27

Bartlomiej Wdowik

Defender

13

Bernardo Vital

Defender

7

Álex Pozo

Midfielder

117'

86

Bartosz Mazurek

Midfielder

106'

11

Jesús Imaz

Midfielder

15

Norbert Wojtuszek

Midfielder

66'

6

Taras Romanczuk

Midfielder

10

Afimico Pululu

Attacker

72

Kamil Jozwiak

Attacker

36'

Substitutes

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

50

Pietro Leonardelli

Goalkeeper

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

63

Piergiorgio Bonanno

Midfielder

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

100'

Manor Solomon

Attacker

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

46'

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

46'

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

62'

20

Moise Kean

Attacker

89'

66

Adrian Damasiewicz

Goalkeeper

85

Eryk Kozlowski

Midfielder

17

Youssuf Sylla

Attacker

9

Dimitris Rallis

Attacker

106'

4

Yuki Kobayashi

Defender

117'

14

Samed Bazdar

Attacker

66'

8

Dawid Drachal

Midfielder

31

Leon Flach

Midfielder

89'

Bologna director Marco Di Vaio reveals he used Fiorentina’s predicament to motivate the team ahead of their Europa League play-off with SK Brann. ‘We passed on the message.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Fiorentina vs. Jagiellonia on the Liveblog.

The Rossoblu had been in dismal form to start 2026, but appear to have really turned a corner now with three consecutive victories in all competition.

That included last week’s 1-0 first leg play-off win in Norway, achieved thanks to a Santiago Castro strike.

Di Vaio keeps Bologna on their toes

“We need to be concentrated and have respect,” Di Vaio told Sky Sport Italia.

“We passed on the message to the players of what is happening in Florence, because you can take nothing for granted in Europe.”

As Bologna were warming up, Fiorentina had fumbled a 3-0 first leg advantage in the Conference League play-off with Jagiellonia.

“Our coach did very well, realising the system couldn’t handle three strikers, so we opted to find more solidity, and now want to get a sense of consistency to our results.

“I was a striker, so I know how important it is to help out the defenders. That is fundamental for our approach to football, now Santiago Castro is back on form, we hope Thijs Dallinga will get there too.”

It is a slender advantage in the Europa League play-off, especially considering their record at the Stadio Dall’Ara has been quite poor in the tournament so far this season.

That includes a 0-0 draw with SK Brann in November, albeit when Charalampos Lykogiannis was sent off in the opening half-hour.

It was confirmed yesterday that Juan Miranda will be out for circa three weeks after a muscular injury, joining Lykogiannis on the treatment table.

However, Riccardo Orsolini is struggling for playing time at the moment.

“Orsolini is a reference point on and off the field for us, but he is also very unpredictable as a player,” added Di Vaio.

“We have a strong squad and everyone is important, including Orso. I expect a reaction from him, because he knows that he can be decisive at any moment.”

Fiorentina have a 3-0 first leg lead in the Conference League play-off with Jagiellonia, but Paolo Vanoli warns ‘nothing is to be taken for granted, we saw the Champions League comebacks.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Bologna vs. Brann on the Liveblog.

The Viola had been in a disastrous run of form, both in Europe and domestically, but really seem to have turned a corner lately.

Their 3-0 first leg result in Poland was part of a trend that has now seen them win three on the bounce in all competition, but that doesn’t mean qualification to the Round of 16 is guaranteed.

Vanoli warning for Fiorentina in Europe

“We saw the comebacks in the Champions League yesterday, so nothing is to be taken for granted,” Vanoli told Sky Sport Italia.

Atalanta managed to overturn a 2-0 first leg loss to Borussia Dortmund, while Juventus down to 10 men forced Galatasaray to extra time despite a 5-2 first leg deficit.

“We must go out there focused on winning the game, not conceding goals, but also trying not to use up too much energy, because we know the priority is Serie A,” added the Fiorentina coach.

What has changed in their recent transformation of results and performances?

“In recent matches, we have seen a big difference in the number of sprints of our defenders, I showed the players those statistics too. That means we were much more attentive in preventative marking to avoid those situations.

“If you look at our record against the smaller clubs, we dominated the matches, but conceded a lot of goals on the counter-attack. We have changed the spirit, we all defend together and attack together.

“It took a while to achieve that, it was a process, but we are getting there now. It was also a problem of shaking off this cursed and worrying thought, which is we’ll win the next one. It was tough to start a season with one objective and change it so radically, it required a shift in mentality.”

Dodo is suspended for the next Serie A match, so he starts today in a more advanced attacking role, allowing Jack Harrison to rest instead.

Albert Gudmundsson is on the bench after an ankle injury.

Fiorentina welcome Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok to the Stadio Artemio Franchi this evening, as the Viola look to book their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Conference League.

The Viola won the first leg in Poland with an impressive 3-0 victory, as they look to put their poor domestic form behind them to succeed in Europe’s third tier competition.

The Serie A side have been improving lately, including an impressive 2-1 win away at Como on Valentines Day and only having lost three matches out of eleven in 2026.

You can follow all the action, as it happens, on our Live Blog.

Fiorentina vs Jagiellonia Bialystok – Official Lineups

Fiorentina: Lezzerini; Fortini, Comuzzo, Pongracic, Gosens; Ndour, Mandragora, Fabbian; Dodo, Piccoli, Fazzini

Jagiellonia: Abramowicz; Wojtuszek, Vital, Pelmard, Wdowik; Romanczuk, Mazurek; Pozo, Imaz, Jozwiak; Pululu

26-02-2026 17:45

1/16 Final

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Jagiellonia Białystok

2 1

2 - 4

Player statistic

1st half

Pietro Comuzzo		7'
		17'		Kamil Jozwiak
		23'		Bartosz Mazurek
		45+3'		Bartosz Mazurek

2nd half

		49'		Bartosz Mazurek (Assist: Afimico Pululu)
		75'		Samed Bazdar
Marin Pongracic		77'

Extra time

		94'		Álex Pozo
Dodô		101'
		105+1'		Taras Romanczuk
Nicolò Fagioli		107'
		110'		Bernardo Vital
Taras Romanczuk		114'
		118'		Jesús Imaz (Assist: Andy Pelmard)
		120'		Bernardo Vital

Match statistic

50

Possession %

50

22

Total shots

15

8

Shots on target

10

9

Shots off target

5

5

Blocked shots

0

6

Corners

3

0

Offsides

1

20

Fouls

22

Fiorentina

Jagiellonia Białystok

Starting lineups

1

Luca Lezzerini

Goalkeeper

46'

2

Dodô

Defender

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

62'

29

Niccolò Fortini

Midfielder

46'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

62'

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

89'

50

Slawomir Abramowicz

Goalkeeper

70

Andy Pelmard

Defender

27

Bartlomiej Wdowik

Defender

13

Bernardo Vital

Defender

7

Álex Pozo

Midfielder

117'

86

Bartosz Mazurek

Midfielder

106'

11

Jesús Imaz

Midfielder

15

Norbert Wojtuszek

Midfielder

66'

6

Taras Romanczuk

Midfielder

10

Afimico Pululu

Attacker

72

Kamil Jozwiak

Attacker

36'

Substitutes

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

50

Pietro Leonardelli

Goalkeeper

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

63

Piergiorgio Bonanno

Midfielder

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

100'

Manor Solomon

Attacker

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

46'

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

46'

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

62'

20

Moise Kean

Attacker

89'

66

Adrian Damasiewicz

Goalkeeper

85

Eryk Kozlowski

Midfielder

17

Youssuf Sylla

Attacker

9

Dimitris Rallis

Attacker

106'

4

Yuki Kobayashi

Defender

117'

14

Samed Bazdar

Attacker

66'

8

Dawid Drachal

Midfielder

31

Leon Flach

Midfielder

89'

Paolo Vanoli insists that Fiorentina will have an opportunity to improve in the second leg of their Conference League play-off match against Jagiellonia on Thursday evening, despite carrying a 3-0 advantage after the first leg in Poland last week. 

Vanoli previews Fiorentina vs. Jagiellonia second leg

Fiorentina will host Jagiellonia in the second leg of their Conference League play-off round tie on Thursday evening. The Viola already have one foot in the round of 16 after goals from Luca Ranieri, Rolando Mandragora and Roberto Piccoli gave them a 3-0 advantage away from home last week. 

Despite being the clear favourites to qualify, Vanoli insists that there is still plenty of room for improvement for his Viola side. 

“The most important thing is getting through the round, then the mentality of how we approach these sorts of games. We had an example against Polissya in the play-offs. I don’t want us to underestimate this game and at the same time we need continuity. Winning helps you win more,” Vanoli said during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday. 

“Every game is an opportunity to improve. Every team has its weaknesses, we have to improve and learn how to manage the final minutes better. Even against Pisa, Fazzo (Jacopo Fazzini) made a mistake towards the end and the opponents nearly equalised.” 

Vanoli confirmed that Fiorentina are clear from injuries heading into the second leg of their Jagiellonia tie. 

“Everyone will be available apart from those who aren’t on the squad list. We organised a friendly to give Rugani minutes,” he said.  

And giving his assessment of the upcoming opposition, Vanoli said: “I like how our opponents play. They press well. Watching them gives me new ideas. To me, international matches help me understand the innovations in football. 

“We played a great game in the first leg with a lot of focus, taking advantage of the opportunities they gave us. But they are well organised, they have a lot of good technical players and an interesting coach.” 

Vanoli was asked whether Thursday’s game might be an opportunity to test some of Fiorentina’s youngsters given that they are the clear favourites to qualify with a 3-0 advantage ahead of kick-off. 

He replied: “I come from a background in youth teams and I believe in them a lot. I proved that with Kouadio and Balbo. 

“When I have time to watch the Primavera, I like to take some of the guys with me to help them understand what I want and why, and why I want the grown-ups to set an example in training. When there is a small opportunity, I like to bring them on. I don’t look at their age, but at the good for Fiorentina.” 

Vanoli also gave his thoughts about the ‘underrated’ leagues around Europe and the improvement they have shown in UEFA competitions in recent years. 

“I think we’re underestimating international football and certain leagues abroad,” Vanoli said.  “Football is constantly changing all over the world. We have a league and a history which remains very difficult because the coaches are so well prepared, even if the league is no longer at the same level it used to be. 

“But, many leagues are developing and surprising me. Sometimes there is a bit of ignorance and underestimation. Jagiellonia will not have that certain level of quality, but they will have a lot of organisation. 

“The Premier League has improved through its coaches, technicians like Guardiola, Conte, Klopp; they have also benefitted their national team. For me, European matches are great experiences that help you grow. Tomorrow will be a game that helps us grow.” 

Italy’s chances of attaining an additional spot in next year’s Champions League remain slim despite a Europa League and Conference League victories for play-off victory for Bologna over Brann on Thursday night, as Inter added to Juventus and Atalanta losses with their 3-1 defeat against Bodo/Glimt. 

Where Italy stands in race for extra Champions League spot after play-off first legs

As things stand, Italy remains in fifth place in UEFA’s season association coefficient ranking, which is used to determine the nations that receive an extra spot in the following year’s Champions League. Only the nations that finish the season in the top two will receive an additional Champions League place. 

It hasn’t been a brilliant week for the Italian sides competing in Europe, as three of the five teams competing over the last few weeks slipped to defeats: Juventus were beaten 5-2 by Galatasaray, Atalanta were beaten 2-0 by Borussia Dortmund and Inter were beaten 3-1 by Bodo/Glimt, all in the Champions League on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Bologna beat Brann 1-0 away from home on Thursday, while Fiorentina picked up a 3-0 win away against Jagiellonia. 

These results leave Italy in fifth place in UEFA’s season association coefficient ranking with a score of 16.071 points. 

England top the rankings with 21.513, Germany are currently second with 17.071, Portugal are third with 16.600 and Spain are fourth with 16.156. 

How is the extra Champions League spot determined?

The nations that finish the season in the top two on UEFA’s season association coefficient are awarded one additional spot each in the following season’s Champions League. 

So, how does the coefficient ranking work?

Teams competing in the three UEFA competitions (the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League) are awarded points based on their results in the European competitions. Nations are awarded two points for each of its teams’ wins, one for a draw and zero for a defeat. Those points are halved for qualifying matches. 

Bonus points are also awarded depending on each team’s finish in the league phase table. The team that finishes top of the Champions League pile gets an additional 12 points, the team in second gets 11.750, the team in third gets 11.500 and so on all the way down to the team in 36th. The winner of the Europa League league phase is awarded 6 points and 4 for the team at the top of the Conference League table. Points are awarded for places 1-24 in both the Europa League and Conference League. 

Additional bonus points are also awarded for each knockout stage that a team passes through. 

All of those points are added up and are then divided by the number of teams that the nation in question has competing in UEFA competitions. 

Italy’s collective points tally stands at 112.500, which comes to a coefficient score of 16.071 when divided by the number of Italian sides involved in European competition this season (seven). 

That score of 16.071 keeps Italy in fifth place in this season’s association coefficient ranking. 

Paolo Vanoli admits Fiorentina have learned to put quality aside and focus on ‘a battling spirit’ to crush Jagiellonia 3-0 in the Conference League play-off and reboot in Serie A.

The Viola rotated the squad for this trip to Poland in sub-zero temperatures, aware that the focus had to be on climbing the Serie A table to escape the relegation zone.

Despite those changes, they put in a strong performance and emerged with a 3-0 victory over Jagiellonia, the team currently at the top of the Polish League.

Luca Ranieri’s header broke the deadlock, followed by a sensational Rolando Mandragora free kick and Roberto Piccoli penalty.

Vanoli sees new spirit at Fiorentina

“Since I’ve been here, I said that we care about this competition. Naturally, I have to make a lot of evaluations, we know what the situation is in Serie A, and we had hoped to be able to focus more on Europe at this stage,” Vanoli told Sky Sport Italia.

“I have to say that this evening this group of players wanted to prove we are all part of something important. It was not easy to play here, we suffered and sweat for the shirt, the same way we did against Como, and this is the attitude that will keep us going forward in Serie A and the Conference League.”

Fiorentina left behind David De Gea, Moise Kean, Dodo, Albert Gudmundsson, Manor Solomon, Marco Brescianini, Daniele Rugani and Oliver Christensen.

However, it feels like they have turned a corner now, especially a few days after the Serie A win away to Como.

“Before beautiful football, you must build team spirit. I think recently we’ve actually taken a step back in terms of quality, but a significant step forward with our spirit,” explained Vanoli.

“This is an approach we must maintain, and it was not easy to turn things around at this club after that start, it took a lot of work, but I can count on everyone now and we need them all for what will be a battle to the end.”

The second leg will be at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Thursday February 26, to decide passage into the Conference League Round of 16.

“A lot of the criticism was entirely fair, but when you are an important club with big ambitions and find yourself in last place with five points, it’s a shock. Sometimes, just playing good football isn’t enough when you’re down there, you need to do battle.

“If we look at the games where we had the best performances, they were against the big clubs, whereas we dropped precious points against the sides closer to us in the table, which is where we really needed to get results.

“Next up there’s Pisa, so along with it being a local derby, it is also a relegation dogfight and a six-pointer, even a nine-pointer. We must behave like a provincial team, the way we did tonight, being ready to suffer and not be arrogant.”

Fiorentina made a lot of changes during the January transfer window, including the arrival of Giovanni Fabbian from Bologna.

“Fabbian has quality, pace, an eye for goal, but we are working to get him back into the role of mezz’ala, as in recent years he played mainly as a trequartista,” continued the coach.

“I want him in the midfield instead, and we had him a little deeper today for a 4-4-2 formation. I think he can do so much here, naturally it takes a little while to settle after changing club mid-season.”

There were also goals tonight for players who have been with Fiorentina for a while, but have been insulted by fans recently, namely Ranieri and Mandragora.

“I am truly happy for Luca, because I feel he was criticised too heavily, even if he did recognise his mistakes. He went through a tough time, but it helped him to grow and he is proving himself with this reaction.

“These are important players for Fiorentina and I’m really pleased for them,” concluded Vanoli.

Fiorentina have one foot in the Conference League last 16 after their 3-0 play-off victory away to Jagiellonia, with Luca Ranieri, Rolando Mandragora and Roberto Piccoli goals.

The Viola made the trip to Bialystok without injured David De Gea, Moise Kean, Dodo, Manor Solomon and Albert Gudmundsson, while Marco Brescianini, Oliver Christensen and Daniele Rugani are cup-tied. Luca Lezzerini therefore made his second UEFA appearance, after a 3-2 defeat to PAOK in November 2016. Jagiellonia were missing suspended top scorer Afimico Pululu and midfielder Taras Romanczuk, who will return for the second leg on February 26.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Nicolò Fortini risked an own goal getting into a terrible tangle dealing with the taught and low Jesus Imaz cross from the right.

Giovanni Fabbian’s cushioned volley with the inside of the boot on a Rolando Mandragora cross was well smothered by the local goalkeeper.

Fiorentina had a big chance on the stroke of half-time, as Fabbian controlled a cross from the left and hit the half-volley from 12 yards, forcing a tricky save at the base of the near post.

Cher Ndour also had two good efforts charged down, then on the resulting corner Jacopo Fazzini stood up a cross to the back post for Luca Ranieri’s header, bending back the goalkeeper’s gloves from a tight angle to give Fiorentina the lead.

Samed Bazdar nodded wide from a corner at the other end, but it was nearly 2-0 when the referee played the advantage after a foul and Fazzini dribbled into the area, but fired straight at the on-rushing goalkeeper.

Jagiellonia had the ball in the net when it was rolled across from the right, but Bartlomiej Wdowik was offside when sweeping in from close range.

Moments later, a Wdowik free kick bent around the wall and bounced off the base of the far post, beyond Lezzerini’s fingertips.

Instead, Fiorentina doubled their lead with a sensational Mandragora free kick into the top corner from just outside the box, laser-focused with the midfielder’s left foot.

Rolando Mandragora scores an INCREDIBLE free-kick for Fiorentina

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/TPkLYYzJoG

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 19, 2026

Fazzini was cut off after a slalom past two defenders, but Piccoli was felled by Dawid Drachal on the rebound for a penalty. Piccoli converted it himself to give the Viola a 3-0 lead in Poland.

Jagiellonia 0-3 Fiorentina

Ranieri 53 (F), Mandragora 66 (F), Piccoli pen 81 (F)

19-02-2026 20:00

1/16 Final

Chorten Arena (Stadion Miejski Białystok)

Jagiellonia Białystok

Fiorentina

0 - 3

Player statistic

1st half

		21'		Jacopo Fazzini
		41'		Rolando Mandragora

2nd half

		53'		Luca Ranieri (Assist: Jacopo Fazzini)
		65'		Rolando Mandragora
		76'		Luca Lezzerini
Bartlomiej Wdowik		78'
		81'		Roberto Piccoli

Match statistic

71

Possession %

29

11

Total shots

13

0

Shots on target

6

7

Shots off target

5

4

Blocked shots

2

3

Corners

4

19

Fouls

15

Jagiellonia Białystok

Fiorentina

Starting lineups

50

Slawomir Abramowicz

Goalkeeper

70

Andy Pelmard

Defender

27

Bartlomiej Wdowik

Defender

13

Bernardo Vital

Defender

7

Álex Pozo

Midfielder

86

Bartosz Mazurek

Midfielder

89'

11

Jesús Imaz

Midfielder

31

Leon Flach

Midfielder

60'

15

Norbert Wojtuszek

Midfielder

72

Kamil Jozwiak

Attacker

68'

14

Samed Bazdar

Attacker

89'

1

Luca Lezzerini

Goalkeeper

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

68'

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

84'

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

29

Niccolò Fortini

Midfielder

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

68'

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

Substitutes

4

Yuki Kobayashi

Defender

66

Adrian Damasiewicz

Goalkeeper

53

Bartlomiej Krasiewicz

Defender

8

Dawid Drachal

Midfielder

60'

9

Dimitris Rallis

Attacker

68'

85

Eryk Kozlowski

Midfielder

89'

17

Youssuf Sylla

Attacker

89'

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

50

Pietro Leonardelli

Goalkeeper

61

Riccardo Braschi

Attacker

63

Piergiorgio Bonanno

Midfielder

64

Lapo Deli

Midfielder

67

Edoardo Sadotti

Defender

68

Gabriele Bertolini

Attacker

51

Mattia Magalotti

Goalkeeper

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

68'

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

68'

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

84'

Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici sees ‘a strong signal’ with the number of academy products against Jagiellonia in the Conference League and defends his ‘courageous’ decision to leave Tottenham.

It kicks off at Chorten Arena in Bialystok at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Brann vs. Bologna on the Liveblog.

The second leg will be at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 26.

While the Tuscans have traditionally done very well in the Conference League, reaching the Final twice and then the semi-final, this season it feels like a distraction from the focus of avoiding Serie A relegation.

Paratici has faith in Fiorentina future

“We are going through a delicate period, but we must divide Europe from Serie A, giving our all in every game,” Paratici told Sky Sport Italia.

“This evening we want to send a strong signal of motivation to the youth academy, as 13 players in the squad today were developed within the club. We are also playing with nine Italians, and four of the five defenders were formed in our club.

“We want to set the example, hoping to create something lasting for the future of Fiorentina.”

Fiorentina have David De Gea and Albert Gudmundsson injured, Manor Solomon has flu symptoms, Moise Kean and Dodo didn’t make the trip as they are carrying knocks, while Marco Brescianini, Oliver Christensen and Daniele Rugani are not on the Europa League list.

“We are trying to build a team that is functional to what the coach wants to do tactically,” continued Paratici.

“We wanted to move from a three-man defence to four, with midfielders who could take players on and give more quality.

“I was only partly involved in the January transfer window, because I was still working for Tottenham. We tried to build the best possible squad for the vision of this coach.”

Circa 350 brave Fiorentina fans have made the trip, greeted by reported temperatures of -8C in Bialystok this evening.

Considering the difficult situation that the club found itself in this season, sitting in the bottom three, why did Paratici leave Tottenham for this role?

“It might’ve seemed a mad decision, but instead it was courageous,” insisted the former Juventus director.

“Being courageous means being aware of the risks you are taking. Even in this difficult situation, I was convinced Fiorentina had the resources to emerge from this moment and build something for the future too.

“This is why I signed a very long contract. I’ve always spent many years at clubs in my career, I’ve never been someone just passing through.”

Fiorentina look to Roberto Piccoli, Jack Harrison and Giovanni Fabbian in the Conference League play-off away to Jagiellonia, as Luca Lezzerini returns after 10 years.

It kicks off at Chorten Arena in Bialystok at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Brann vs. Bologna on the Liveblog.

The second leg will be at the Stadio Artemio Franchi next Thursday evening, February 26.

The Viola are making no secret of their focus on avoiding Serie A relegation, despite having done so well in the Conference League in recent years.

Some squad rotation is also forced, as David De Gea dislocated a finger, while Manor Solomon has flu symptoms and Albert Gudmundsson is injured for a few weeks.

Moise Kean and Dodo are not fully fit and also left behind, plus Marco Brescianini, Oliver Christensen and Daniele Rugani are not on the UEFA squad list, so are ineligible.

It means goalkeeper Lezzerini gets his second ever UEFA appearance for Fiorentina, the first being a 3-2 defeat to PAOK Salonika in November 2016.

Piccoli leads the attack, with support from January signings Fabbian and Harrison.

The good news for Fiorentina is that Jagiellonia have to do without their top scorer Afimico Pululu, as he is suspended along with Taras Romanczuk.

Jagiellonia vs. Fiorentina line-ups

Jagiellonia: Abramowicz; Wojtuszek, Bernardo Vital, Pelmard, Wdowik; Pozo, Flach, B Mazurek, Jozwiak; Bazdar, Imaz

Jagiellonia bench: Damasiewicz, Kobayashi, Drachal, Rallis, Sylla, Krasiewicz, Kozlowski

Fiorentina: Lezzerini; Fortini, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens; Mandragora; Harrison, Ndour, Fabbian, Fazzini; Piccoli

Fiorentina bench: Leonardelli, Magalotti, Pongracic, Fagioli, Kouadio, Braschi, Balbo, Bonanno, Deli, Parisi, Sadotti, Bertolini

Ref: Gishamer (AUT)

19-02-2026 20:00

1/16 Final

Chorten Arena (Stadion Miejski Białystok)

Jagiellonia Białystok

Fiorentina

0 - 3

Player statistic

1st half

		21'		Jacopo Fazzini
		41'		Rolando Mandragora

2nd half

		53'		Luca Ranieri (Assist: Jacopo Fazzini)
		65'		Rolando Mandragora
		76'		Luca Lezzerini
Bartlomiej Wdowik		78'
		81'		Roberto Piccoli

Match statistic

71

Possession %

29

11

Total shots

13

0

Shots on target

6

7

Shots off target

5

4

Blocked shots

2

3

Corners

4

19

Fouls

15

Jagiellonia Białystok

Fiorentina

Starting lineups

50

Slawomir Abramowicz

Goalkeeper

70

Andy Pelmard

Defender

27

Bartlomiej Wdowik

Defender

13

Bernardo Vital

Defender

7

Álex Pozo

Midfielder

86

Bartosz Mazurek

Midfielder

89'

11

Jesús Imaz

Midfielder

31

Leon Flach

Midfielder

60'

15

Norbert Wojtuszek

Midfielder

72

Kamil Jozwiak

Attacker

68'

14

Samed Bazdar

Attacker

89'

1

Luca Lezzerini

Goalkeeper

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

68'

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

84'

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

29

Niccolò Fortini

Midfielder

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

68'

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

Substitutes

4

Yuki Kobayashi

Defender

66

Adrian Damasiewicz

Goalkeeper

53

Bartlomiej Krasiewicz

Defender

8

Dawid Drachal

Midfielder

60'

9

Dimitris Rallis

Attacker

68'

85

Eryk Kozlowski

Midfielder

89'

17

Youssuf Sylla

Attacker

89'

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

50

Pietro Leonardelli

Goalkeeper

61

Riccardo Braschi

Attacker

63

Piergiorgio Bonanno

Midfielder

64

Lapo Deli

Midfielder

67

Edoardo Sadotti

Defender

68

Gabriele Bertolini

Attacker

51

Mattia Magalotti

Goalkeeper

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

68'

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

68'

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

84'