The New Saints make history as the first Welsh side to ever play in a UEFA group game.
On Thursday they play ACF Fiorentina in the UEFA Conference League in Italy. Fiorentina have been ever-present since the competition’s founding, losing both of the last two finals – not an easy introduction for TNS.Fiorentina are in a period of transition. The man who brought them to within a hair’s breadth of European glory - Vincenzo Italiano – left in the summer for Champions League side Bologna, and it hasn’t been smooth sailing for new head coach Raffaele Palladino.
It doesn’t mean they’ll be pushovers, however. La Viola sit eleventh in Serie A, with players including former Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea and former Juventus and PSG striker Moise Kean.Albert Gudmundsson made his debut for Fiorentina in their 2-1 win against Lazio recently. In their first win of the season, the Icelandic striker came off the bench to win one and score two penalties to decide the game.
Having arrived in the summer, he hasn’t had much of a chance to show his talents at his new club, however the 30-million-pound signing will be keen to leave his mark on a return to European football. He’s been capped 37 times for his country and scored tenShould The New Saints play it safe and sit deep, they won’t want to give away any penalties. Unlike TNS’ relatively relaxed fixture list through the qualifying rounds, Fiorentina were drawn against a tough Puskás Akadémia side.
Three players got sent off in added time as the tie went to penalties, and La Viola got through scoring all five of theirs.After three red cards in their qualifying game leading up to the group stages and a series of injuries, Fiorentina go into their game against The New Saints missing four of their main centre backs.The New Saints go into their European fixture still in control of their domestic league, however, Fiorentina haven’t had the same start to the season.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
TNS' Danny Redmond channelling Old Firm upsets in search of Fiorentina giant killingDanny Redmond only has to recall his career in Scotland to know The New Saints are capable of surprising Fiorentina in their apparent UEFA Conference League mismatch.
Read more »
Causes of death of two superyacht passengers killed when Mike Lynch’s £14m vessel sank in thunderstorm re...Italian authorities reveal first key findings of Bayesian manslaughter probe into tragic sinking after ‘mistakes’ made
Read more »
Boy, 17, obsessively listened to same two lines of Beatles track before brutally butchering mum, dad and...Italian authorities reveal first key findings of Bayesian manslaughter probe into tragic sinking after ‘mistakes’ made
Read more »
Cristiano Ronaldo v Brad Young: The test awaiting ex-TNS strikerBrad Young's life is about to undergo a dramatic change - after leaving The New Saints he could soon be facing Cristiano Ronaldo.
Read more »
Cristiano Ronaldo v Brad Young: The test awaiting ex-TNS strikerBrad Young's life is about to undergo a dramatic change - after leaving The New Saints he could soon be facing Cristiano Ronaldo.
Read more »
TNS boss Craig Harrison: We had the patience of a SaintCraig Harrison praised The New Saints for their patience as they opened their home campaign in the JD Cymru Premier with a 2-0 victory over Aberystwyth Town.
Read more »