Shakhtar leads the Ukrainian Premier League and reached this semi-final by defeating AZ Alkmaar 5-2 on aggregate. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace aims to secure their second trophy under manager Oliver Glasner.

Key match statistics:

• This is the first-ever meeting between Shakhtar Donetsk and Crystal Palace.
• Shakhtar has played English teams 18 times, winning 5 and losing 9.
• Ismaila Sarr has scored 7 goals in the Conference League this season.
• Crystal Palace won against Fiorentina 3-0 in the quarter-finals.
• Palace is currently ranked 13th in the Premier League.

The match is being played in Poland due to the ongoing conflict affecting Shakhtar’s home ground. Despite this being a ‘home leg’ for Shakhtar, it is not truly home as they play away from Ukraine.

Injury concerns:

Oliver Glasner’s main injury concern is Tyrick Mitchell, who hurt his achilles against Liverpool.

As of midday, officials have not confirmed how the war’s impact will affect Shakhtar’s performance. The match will be refereed by João Pinheiro and will be available for streaming on TNT Sports in the UK.

With both teams aiming for victory, the stakes are high. This encounter marks a historic moment for both clubs as they navigate through unique challenges.

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The stakes are particularly high for Fiorentina, who are currently grappling with an injury crisis. Key players such as Moise Kean, Manor Solomon, and Albert Guðmundsson will be absent, putting additional pressure on the remaining squad members. Despite these setbacks, Fiorentina has a historical advantage over Lazio, boasting a 6-2 lead in their head-to-head encounters.

Lazio, on the other hand, arrives with a more favorable outlook, welcoming back Mattia Zaccagni and Patric, both of whom are expected to make a significant impact. This resurgence comes after Lazio’s recent form, which included three consecutive victories before a 1-1 draw with Parma. The team will be eager to capitalize on their momentum and secure a win against a depleted Fiorentina side.

The match kicks off at 19:45 UK time (20:45 CEST), and the atmosphere is expected to be electric as both teams vie for crucial points. Fiorentina’s recent performance has been concerning, highlighted by a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Conference League quarter-finals. This loss has intensified the urgency for a turnaround in their domestic campaign.

Fiorentina’s lineup features notable players such as David de Gea, Robin Gosens, and Jack Harrison, who will need to step up in the absence of their injured teammates. Coach Paolo Vanoli faces the daunting task of motivating his squad to overcome the odds and secure a vital win that could alter their season’s trajectory.

As the match approaches, the focus will be on how Fiorentina’s players respond to the pressure of the situation. “Fiorentina have the opportunity to go eight points clear of the relegation zone,” a source noted, underscoring the match’s significance. The outcome could either provide a much-needed boost or deepen their struggles as the season progresses.

With the clock ticking down to kick-off, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this pivotal clash unfolds. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final strategies both teams will employ, but one thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher for Fiorentina as they face Lazio in this decisive match.

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Fiorentina has been grappling for survival in Serie A this season, accumulating just 19 points in 2026. The team faced a daunting challenge against Inter Milan, who currently sit at the top of the Serie A table and have won five of their last six encounters against Fiorentina.

The match, held at Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence, saw a significant development as Fiorentina’s Cher Ndour scored, igniting hopes for the home side. However, Inter’s Pio Esposito quickly responded, celebrating his goal and maintaining the pressure on Fiorentina, who has lost six of their last seven meetings with the Milanese side.

Fiorentina’s head coach, Paolo Vanoli, expressed concerns over his team’s performance, especially given their recent struggles at home, where they have managed only one win in their last five league matches.

Inter Milan, bolstered by players like Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez, showcased their dominance throughout the match. Observers noted that Inter has won each of their 11 away league matches against teams outside the top five this term, further complicating Fiorentina’s battle against relegation.

As the match progressed, tensions rose over a potential penalty decision. Graziano Cesari commented, “In my view, it’s a penalty because the cross came from a distance, the defender’s arm was outstretched, and the ball would have reached Thuram.”

Former referee Mauro Bergonzi added, “No replays of any kind were shown during the match. Pongracic strikes the ball with his right hand; he tends to spread his arm out to reach for the ball, so for me it warrants a penalty.”

Fabio Caressa weighed in, stating, “They’ve explained to us that what matters is where the ball goes. Here, if Pongracic doesn’t catch it with his arm, it goes to Thuram.” This commentary highlights the contentious nature of officiating in high-stakes matches.

As the match concluded, Fiorentina’s hopes of climbing out of the relegation zone remained uncertain, while Inter continued their pursuit of the Serie A title. Observers are keenly watching how Fiorentina will respond in their upcoming fixtures, as they face a critical juncture in their season.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the implications of this match on both teams’ future standings in Serie A.

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As Raków Częstochowa prepares to host Fiorentina in a pivotal Europa Conference League match, the central question looms: Can Raków overcome a 2-1 deficit from the first leg? The answer is crucial, as they aim to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

Fiorentina secured a narrow victory in the first leg, winning 2-1 at their home ground, the Stadio Artemio Franchi. This puts pressure on Raków, who have never advanced to this stage in UEFA competitions. The Polish side has shown resilience, with Lamine Diaby-Fadiga emerging as their top scorer in the Conference League, netting six goals in 12 appearances.

Recent performances set the stage for this encounter. Fiorentina comes off a commanding 4-1 win against Cremonese in Serie A, showcasing their attacking prowess. In contrast, Raków suffered a setback, losing 3-1 to Górnik Zabrze in the Ekstraklasa, which could impact their morale heading into this critical match.

The match kicks off at 18:45 CET at Stadion Raków in Poland, where fans will be eager to see if their team can turn the tide. Raków’s lineup features key players including Zych, Tudor, Racovitan, and Ivi Lopez, while Fiorentina welcomes back Moise Kean to their starting XI, alongside other notable names like Jack Harrison and Albert Gudmundsson.

In the first leg, Jonatan Braut Brunes scored for Raków, providing a glimmer of hope for the Polish team. However, they will need to capitalize on every opportunity to overturn the deficit. The stakes are high, as a win would not only advance them in the tournament but also mark a historic achievement for the club.

As the match approaches, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. Fans are hopeful that Raków can leverage their home advantage and capitalize on Fiorentina’s potential vulnerabilities. The outcome remains uncertain, and details remain unconfirmed as both teams finalize their strategies.

With the clock ticking down to kickoff, all eyes will be on Raków Częstochowa vs Fiorentina. Will the Polish side rise to the occasion, or will Fiorentina secure their place in the next round? The answer lies just moments away.

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Fiorentina’s coach, Paolo Vanoli, stated, “Paolo Vanoli’s gone with a surprising number of starters in this one.” This decision reflects the team’s urgency as they face Raków Częstochowa in the UEFA Conference League Round of 16.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 GMT (21:00 CET) on March 12, 2026, at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence, Italy. Fiorentina has sold approximately 6,000 tickets for home fans and around 300 for Polish supporters.

Fiorentina enters this match following a challenging period, having recorded two defeats and a draw in their last three matches. They managed to scrape through to the Round of 16 after a narrow 5-4 aggregate victory against Jagiellonia.

In contrast, Raków Częstochowa finished second in the Conference League opening phase, showcasing their resilience by conceding only two goals in their six league phase matches. Coach Łukasz Tomczyk will rely on key players such as Jonatan Braut Brunes, who has scored 20 goals this season, and Lamine Diaby-Fadiga, the team’s top scorer in the Conference League with six goals.

Fiorentina’s squad will be missing several notable players, including Moise Kean, Marin Pongracic, Manor Solomon, Luca Lezzerini, and Tariq Lamptey. This absence could significantly impact their attacking options.

Despite these challenges, Fiorentina believes that players like Roberto Piccoli and Jacopo Fazzini can inspire the team in this crucial matchup. The team’s ability to adapt and perform under pressure will be tested against a solid Raków side.

As both teams prepare for this pivotal encounter, the stakes are high for advancement in the tournament. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any last-minute changes to the lineups or strategies.

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