After knocking out Braga, the Italian side will face Turkish side again after having already met Basaksehir in the group stage. First act on March 9 at the Franchi
After Basaksehir in the group stage, there is still a Turkish trap on Fiorentina’s path: Nyon’s pot paired the Viola with Sivasspor, for the round of 16 of the Conference League. More or less in line with last year, Riza Çalimbay’s team is not having an exciting season in the league, where it is only twelfth, very far from a useful placement for Europe. The datum on the average age of the generally deployed starting team is striking, which is just over 31 years old.
THE WAY TO HERE
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Sivasspor was eliminated by Malmo in the Europa League preliminaries, relegated to the Conference. However, he finished in first place in the group with Cluj, Slavia Prague and Ballkani, totaling 11 points. They drew with the Czechs on Matchday 1 before winning in Romania. Surprisingly they lost at home to Ballkani, only to return the favor in the next round; it closed the group stage by overcoming Cluj again and with equals at Slavia Prague.
THE COACH
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Riza Çalimbay was a banner of Besiktas, the only club he has ever played for, totaling over 500 games in sixteen seasons. He also played for the Turkish national team between 1981 and 1992 as a player. His coaching career began in the early 2000s and he has led various clubs, including Besiktas, Antalyaspor and Trabzonspor. He had already been on the Sivasspor bench between 2010 and 2013 and was recalled in 2019. Last year he won his first trophy as a coach, the Turkish Cup, which allowed his team to qualify for Europe, considering the tenth place of the 2021-22 season.
THE STELLA: MAX GRADEL
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35 years old and not feeling them, for Max Gradel. Left attacking winger of Ivorian nationality, he is a fast player with excellent ideas thanks to his one-on-one skills. Many of the dangerous actions pass through his feet, as confirmed by the 9 goals and 8 assists collected in 31 appearances in all competitions. He is also often the designated penalty taker. His career was almost entirely divided between England (Leicester, Bournemouth, Leeds) and France (Saint-Etienne, Toulouse) before joining Sivasspor in 2020.
HOW TO PLAY
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The basic formation is 4-3-3, with Gradel and Yesilyurt acting on the wings in support of Yatabare. However, the Malian striker suffered a rather serious injury to the ligaments of his left knee at the beginning of the month and in all likelihood he will not be available for the double challenge against Fiorentina. In his place it is probable that Jordy Caicedo will be employed to lead the forward department. An old acquaintance of Italian football could find space in midfield, Isaac Cofie, who wore the shirts of Genoa, Turin, Piacenza, Sassuolo, Chievo, Carpi between Serie A and Serie B.
(4-3-3)
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Vural; Okumus, Goutas, Osmanpasa, Ciftci; Arslan, Ulvestad, Charisi; Yesilyurt, Caicedo, Gradel.
February 24, 2023 (change February 24, 2023 | 2:18 pm)
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