Preview: Fiorentina vs. Sevilla

Fiorentina have it all to do if they are to reach the final of this season's Europa League.

The Italians trail 3-0 from their semi-final first-leg encounter with Sevilla, meaning that only a comeback of epic proportions will stop the holders from being able to defend their title in Warsaw later this month.

Fiorentina

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Only one team - Valencia - have ever retrieved a three-goal deficit in the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Los Che lost to Basel 3-0 in the first leg in Switzerland during the 2013-14 campaign, only to win through 5-0 back in the more familiar surroundings of the Mestalla.

Of course, Fiorentina head coach Vincenzo Montella would probably accept a penalty shootout if you offered it to him right now, with three unanswered goals being required to take it to that stage.

That is the exact scoreline that Fiorentina claimed from their trip to Serie A counterparts Roma earlier in the competition.

As you'd expect, in the days leading up to this tie, Montella has been saying all the right things as he tries to keep his squad positive, insisting that the tie is not over yet.

In European contests at the Stadio Artemio Franchi this season, La Viola have won on three occasions, drawn twice and been defeated once.

However, perhaps they can take some solace from the fact that they have managed to come out on top from four of their six two-legged European semi-finals.

Recent form: WDWDWL Recent form (all competitions): WLLWLW

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Sevilla

Of course, Sevilla head coach Unai Emery has done his best to insist that his side are not yet in the final, but he must believe that the job is almost done.

In the first leg, Emery's charges, spearheaded by right-back Aleix Vidal, were in rampant mood and could have scored even more goals before the final whistle.

Not only do they make the trip to Florence with a healthy advantage in tow, they also boast a record of having never lost a European semi-final.

However, last season's final-four meeting with Valencia should cause some caution within the Sevilla ranks. Leading 2-0, they trailed 3-0 in the return clash, but advanced through thanks to a late goal from Stephane Mbia.

If they can safely negotiate their way through to the final, it will give Sevilla the perfect opportunity to win the trophy for a record fourth time.

Recent form: WWWWDW Recent form (all competitions): DWWLWD

Team News

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Injuries have hampered much of Micah Richards's career and that trend will continue in this clash, with a thigh complaint ruling out the former England international, who is on loan at Fiorentina from Manchester City.

Montella will also be without former Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi (knee) and Peruvian midfielder Juan Manuel Vargas (thigh).

However, Josip Ilicic started the match in Sevilla on the bench, but he could return to the starting lineup for this game.

As for the home side, a shoulder injury will keep goalkeeper Beto sidelined, while Argentine defender Nicolas Pareja will play no part because of a knee problem.

Fiorentina possible starting lineup: Neto; Tomovic, Savic, Rodriguez, Alonso; Fernandez, Valero, Jaoquin, Ilicic; Gomez, Salah

Sevilla possible starting lineup: Rico; Vidal, Carrico, Kolodziejczak, Tremoulinas; Krychowiak, Mbia, Reyes, Banega, Vitolo; Bacca

Head To Head

Last week was the first official encounter between these two sides.

From their only two trips to Italian shores, Sevilla were beaten on both occasions at the hands of Parma in 2005 and then Sampdoria three years later.

Meanwhile, when playing host to Spanish opposition, Fiorentina have won twice, drawn once and lost once.

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We say: Fiorentina 1-1 Sevilla

Despite the big lead, Emery is likely to still pick a strong side, which should be reflected in Sevilla's performance. Providing that they prevent the home side from scoring an early goal which gets their tails up, it should be a relatively comfortable passage through to the final for the Spaniards.