Real Betis vs Fiorentina

The anticipation is building as Real Betis prepare to host Fiorentina at the Estadio Benito Villamarín on Thursday evening in the first leg of what promises to be a thrilling UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final. This encounter carries significant weight for both sides, as Real Betis look to continue their recent upturn in form with a strong showing in front of their home fans, while Fiorentina arrive with the pedigree of a side well-versed in the latter stages of this competition, aiming to make it to the final for the third consecutive season.

Real Betis enter this high-stakes clash buoyed by their performance in the quarter-finals, where they managed a convincing 3-1 aggregate victory. The result was a reflection of their growing momentum, which has seen them recover admirably from a rollercoaster campaign domestically. For much of the 2024-25 season, Betis found themselves fluctuating between sixth and twelfth place in La Liga, struggling to find a consistent rhythm under manager Manuel Pellegrini. However, a recent surge in form has seen them emerge as one of the in-form teams in Spain. With only one defeat in their last 13 matches across all competitions, they now sit sixth in the La Liga standings. This impressive spell has not only steadied their domestic campaign but also propelled them deep into European contention.

Betis currently hold an eight-point cushion over seventh-placed Celta Vigo and are just a single point adrift of the top five, underlining their ambition to secure a return to European competition next season via their league finish. However, their exploits in the Conference League provide an alternative, and arguably more prestigious, route to continental football next term. After finishing 15th in the League Phase of the tournament—an underwhelming placement that required them to navigate through the playoff rounds—their progress to the semi-finals is a testament to the resilience and determination instilled in the side by Pellegrini. The Chilean tactician, known for his calm demeanor and tactical nous, has guided his team to a level that few would have anticipated earlier in the campaign.

The journey to the semi-finals has not been without challenges. Betis had to overcome some tricky opponents along the way, starting with Belgian side Gent in the knockout playoff round. A composed and well-executed pair of performances saw them claim a 3-1 aggregate victory. That was followed by a commanding 6-2 aggregate win over Vitoria de Guimaraes in the Round of 16, a tie that demonstrated their attacking prowess and their ability to control proceedings over two legs. In the quarter-finals, they were drawn against Polish outfit Jagiellonia Bialystok, a side that had proven to be a difficult opponent for many. Betis, however, rose to the occasion, navigating the tie with discipline and professionalism to emerge 3-1 winners on aggregate.

Now, the challenge intensifies. Standing in their path to a maiden European final is Fiorentina, one of the most experienced and consistent sides in the brief but competitive history of the UEFA Europa Conference League. The Italian outfit, known affectionately as "La Viola," have been finalists in each of the previous two editions of the tournament, albeit without success. Their journey to this point is steeped in both heartbreak and determination, with those past disappointments serving as motivation to finally lift the trophy.

In the 2022-23 season, Fiorentina reached the final only to suffer a crushing last-minute defeat to West Ham United. With the match level at 1-1 and seemingly destined for extra time, Jarrod Bowen delivered a dramatic 90th-minute winner to snatch the trophy from the Italians’ grasp. A year later, history repeated itself in cruel fashion. Once again reaching the final, Fiorentina fell to another narrow loss—this time at the hands of Greek club Olympiacos. In a tense and tightly contested encounter, Ayoub El Kaabi’s strike in the 116th minute condemned them to another heartbreaking loss. These painful experiences have not only galvanized the squad but have also set the stage for a redemptive run in this year’s competition.

Fiorentina’s current campaign under head coach Raffaele Palladino has been marked by consistency and resolve. Appointed in July 2024, Palladino inherited a squad rich in talent and European experience. His mandate was clear: to build on the work of his predecessors and finally take the club over the line in the Conference League. So far, he has delivered on that promise. Fiorentina comfortably advanced through the League Phase with a third-place finish, earning a favorable draw in the knockout stages. There, they first dispatched Greek side Panathinaikos in the Round of 16 before overcoming Slovenian club Celje in the quarter-finals.

What has stood out most during this European campaign is Fiorentina’s form and consistency. They are currently enjoying an impressive nine-match unbeaten run across all competitions, having secured six victories and three draws. This purple patch of form has injected confidence into the side ahead of their trip to Seville. The balance of youth and experience in their squad, combined with Palladino’s tactical discipline, makes them a formidable opponent for any side left in the competition.

However, if there is a chink in the armor of this Italian side, it might be found in their away performances in Europe this season. While they have been dominant at home, their record on the road in the Conference League is more modest. In five away games, Fiorentina have managed just two wins, one draw, and suffered two defeats. This inconsistency away from Florence could prove pivotal in a two-legged tie, particularly against a Betis side that has found strength and unity on home soil.

The first leg at the Estadio Benito Villamarín therefore takes on added importance. Real Betis will be looking to capitalize on the support of their passionate fanbase, which has played a crucial role in their recent run of positive results. The Andalusian outfit thrives in the vibrant atmosphere of their home ground, and they will hope that this energy can spur them to a first-leg advantage. While the squad may lack the European experience of Fiorentina, they make up for it with hunger, form, and belief.

Key to Betis’ hopes will be the performances of their standout players, particularly those who have stepped up during this crucial period. Isco, whose resurgence this season has been one of the feel-good stories in Spanish football, will be tasked with pulling the strings in midfield. His creativity, vision, and ability to dictate the tempo of the game could be vital against a disciplined Fiorentina setup. Defensively, Betis will rely on their recent solidity, having found a more cohesive structure in recent weeks that has limited the number of chances conceded.

Fiorentina, for their part, will look to impose their experience and tactical organization on the match. Palladino’s side is well-drilled and capable of adapting to different game states. They possess a number of players capable of turning a game on its head, and their bench depth ensures that they remain dangerous throughout the 90 minutes. While their late-stage losses in the past may have brought disappointment, they have also imbued this team with a resilience that can only come from enduring such setbacks.

The tactical battle between Manuel Pellegrini and Raffaele Palladino adds another fascinating layer to this contest. Pellegrini, with years of top-level experience across Europe, brings calmness and strategic intelligence, often favoring controlled possession and structured buildup. Palladino, on the other hand, represents a newer generation of coaches—tactically astute and adaptable, often deploying flexible systems to counter specific threats. How these two philosophies clash on Thursday evening will be intriguing to observe.

As the match approaches, anticipation continues to grow. Both clubs understand the significance of the occasion. For Real Betis, a club with a rich history but limited success on the European stage, this represents a golden opportunity to etch their name into the continental record books. For Fiorentina, the stakes are equally high. After coming so close in the past two seasons, the desire to finally claim the trophy burns brighter than ever. Neither side will want to leave anything to chance, and fans can expect a fiercely contested affair full of quality, tension, and drama.

The first leg will set the tone for the tie, and while nothing will be decided on Thursday alone, the outcome will have significant implications for the return leg in Florence. A strong result for either side could offer a psychological edge, while a closely fought draw would leave everything to play for. With both teams in good form and with so much at stake, this semi-final has all the makings of a classic European showdown.

As the players walk out onto the pitch at the Estadio Benito Villamarín under the floodlights, the weight of expectation will hang in the air. For some, it could be a career-defining night. For others, it’s a chance to take a step closer to European immortality. One thing is certain—neither Real Betis nor Fiorentina will give an inch in their pursuit of glory. The stage is set, and the world will be watching. Who will seize the moment? The answer begins to unfold on Thursday night in Seville.