“Paolo Vanoli’s gone with a surprising number of starters in this one,” a source noted ahead of the highly anticipated UEFA Conference League Round of 16 match between Fiorentina and Raków Częstochowa.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 GMT (21:00 CET) on March 12, 2026, at Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence, Italy. Fiorentina, currently facing a downward trend with two defeats and a draw in their last three matches, will look to turn their fortunes around against the Polish side.

Fiorentina’s coach, Paolo Vanoli, has made the decision to field a strong starting XI despite notable absences, including Moise Kean, Marin Pongracic, Manor Solomon, Luca Lezzerini, and Tariq Lamptey. The team sold approximately 6,000 tickets for home fans and around 300 for Polish supporters, indicating strong local interest in the match.

On the other hand, Raków Częstochowa, coached by Łukasz Tomczyk, finished second in the Conference League opening phase. They have shown resilience, conceding just two goals in their six league phase matches, which highlights their solid defensive capabilities.

Jonatan Braut Brunes has been a standout player for Raków this season, netting 20 goals, while Lamine Diaby-Fadiga leads the team in the Conference League with six goals. This attacking prowess will pose a challenge for Fiorentina’s defense.

Fiorentina managed to scrape through to the Round of 16 after a narrow 5-4 aggregate win against Jagiellonia, and they will be counting on players like Roberto Piccoli and Jacopo Fazzini to inspire them in this crucial encounter.

As the match approaches, both teams are preparing for what promises to be an exciting clash, with Fiorentina hoping to capitalize on home advantage while Raków Częstochowa seeks to continue their impressive run in European competition.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final lineup and tactical approach each team will adopt as they aim for a place in the quarter-finals.

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