Federico Chiesa, Nikola Kalinic and Federico Bernardeschi all started for Fiorentina in La Viola’s last European game more than five years ago. The Tuscans play their first European match since 2016-17 tonight. It’s a Conference League playoff clash against Dutch side Twente at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The last time Fiorentina played in Europe was in 2016-17, when they reached the Europa League Round of 32. Borussia Monchengladbach eliminated the Tuscans following a 4-2 win in Florence. Fiorentina had beaten the Germans 1-0 a week earlier.

That final game at the Stadio Artemio Franchi saw many big players on the pitch. Fiorentina line-up with a 3-5-2 formation with Ciprian Tatarusanu in goal, Carlos Sanchez, Gonzalo Rodriguez and Davide Astori in defence, Federico Chiesa, Milan Badelj, Matias Vecino and Maximiliano Oliveira in midfield. Borja Valero and Federico Bernardeschi behind Nikola Kalinic. Paulo Sousa was in charge of the Tuscans who scored early in the first half with Kalinic and Borja Valero. Continue reading →