Italiano wants ‘pro-active Fiorentina’ with Club Brugge

Vincenzo Italiano explains what Fiorentina need to get the better of Club Brugge in the Europa Conference League semi-final. ‘We want attacking and pro-active football.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Roma-Bayer Leverkusen and Olympique Marseille-Atalanta on the LIVEBLOG.

The Viola are unbeaten in the Conference League proper this season, but were eliminated from the Coppa Italia semi-final by Atalanta last week.

“I believe in what I said yesterday, we need pride, attacking and pro-active football, so we are not afraid of opponents, but try to cause them as many problems as possible,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.

“It is also important to be tactically disciplined, make as few errors as possible, show quality on the ball and show a strong mentality aware it will be decided over 180 minutes of football.”

Italiano not surprised by Brugge switch

Italiano was asked if Club Brugge have changed their usual 4-3-3 formation to use Hans Vanaken as a trequartista behind the lone centre-forward.

“From the formation we saw, they are missing a more attacking midfielder, so Vanaken could be in the trequartista role. Usually they played with a three-man defence and the two mezza’ala players pushing forward.

“We prepared for both situations. They are unbeaten in a long time, they play good football, alternate phases of possession with sitting back, so we must not make mistakes and allow them to go on the counter. We need great discipline, as they will try to hurt us with the slightest error.”

There is very heavy rain in Florence today, which could also make it rather difficult for the Viola to play with their usual passing style.

Fiorentina are fresh off a 5-1 Serie A victory over Sassuolo in this stadium and are hoping to reach their second consecutive Conference League Final, especially as President Joe Barone is in the stands.