The Europa League gets serious now. Sounds like we may play the strongest team, although as we have 6 games in the next 17 days may need some rotation either here or against West Ham on Sunday. Should be a tight game, Fiorentina are in good form and have a decent squad. I do feel the squad looks much better equipped at this stage than we have been in previous years, plus the motivation of that CL place for winning the tournament. COYS
Taking a 2+ goal advantage to Florence would make some decisions a lot easier for Poch over the next couple of weeks. That seems a bit much to ask, though. Anyone seen anything of Fiorentina recently? I have no idea what to expect.
We should be fielding the strongest team here as the team already have a good rest. Rotate 2-4 players against West Ham. Then make wholesale changes in the 2nd leg if we have a 2 goals or more lead. Winning the Europa league is another ticket to the CL.
they were choosing Liverpool even when Liverpool was an 8th place team 2 yrs ago. its like the Yankees with baseball. doesn't matter how bad they are, they end up on TV
6:55 PM Here's our starting line-up against Fiorentina: Lloris (c), Walker, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies; Bentaleb, Paulinho; Chadli, Eriksen, Townsend; Soldado. Our subs tonight are as follows: Vorm, Dier, Rose, Dembele, Lamela, Mason, Kane.
Bizarre that Stambouli not even in the squad this time or last game, all reports are that we have no injuries. Hope we can carry enough threat with Soldado and Townsend.
Fiorentina are going to be extremely tough because they have loads of talent. A ton of good players. With the lineup we have out there Robert better find his scoring boots or we aren't going to fair well. We aren't keeping a clean sheet I fear. I'm hopeful we can win, but going to Italy is always a nightmare.
If Fiorentina have a bunch of fast guys, this would not be a good match to put in Stanbouli. One possible explanation.
So far promising, Fiorentina playing back 3 but their wingbacks are not strong, struggling with the pace of our forward running.
If that would've gone in I would seriously have to consider playing both Robert and Kane over the weekend.