Preview: Fiorentina vs. Viktoria Plzen

Fiorentina are gearing up to face Viktoria Plzen in what promises to be an intriguing Europa Conference League quarter-final second leg at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The tie is finely poised after a goalless draw in the first leg, leaving both teams eager to seize the advantage and secure a spot in the semi-finals.

Vincenzo Italiano's men have encountered difficulties in front of goal recently, creating a challenging scenario as they prepare to break down a resilient Viktoria side. Plzen boasts an impressive defensive record, having kept clean sheets in 12 of their 15 Europa Conference League games so far, making them a tough nut to crack for Fiorentina's attackers. Fiorentina's aspirations to return to the Conference League final this season have been dampened by their struggles in the attacking third in recent matches.

Despite being one of the competition's top scorers leading up to the first leg, the Italian side failed to find the back of the net for the first time since August, highlighting their recent scoring woes. Italiano's men must rediscover their scoring touch, especially after failing to score more than one goal in any match across all competitions in over a month.

The lack of goals in their recent outings, including a draw against Genoa and defeats to AC Milan and Juventus, has raised concerns about their attacking potency. On the other hand, Viktoria Plzen are determined to thwart Fiorentina's ambitions and progress to the semi-finals themselves. Managed by Miroslav Koubek, Plzen relies on their defensive astuteness, which has served them well in knockout football.

The Czech side rarely concede, making them a formidable opponent for Fiorentina's attack. The first leg showcased Plzen's defensive resilience, limiting Fiorentina's scoring opportunities despite conceding possession. With the tie delicately balanced, both teams are expected to approach the second leg cautiously, knowing that a single goal could be decisive in determining the outcome.

Fiorentina will look to exploit their home advantage and the support of their fans at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Players like Nicolás González and Lucas Martínez Quarta will be instrumental in leading the charge for Fiorentina, providing creativity in attack and solidity in defense. Meanwhile, Plzen will rely on their disciplined defensive structure and the threat posed by players like Pavel Sulc and Tomas Chory in attack.

With key absences due to injuries, Plzen faces a tough challenge away from home, but they are determined to defy the odds and secure a historic victory. As both teams prepare for the crucial encounter, the stakes are high, with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs. Fiorentina will be aiming for redemption and a chance to end their European trophy drought, while Plzen seeks to make history and etch their name in the annals of European football.