Serie A

Conference League Round of 16: Fiorentina to challenge Panathinaikos or Borac

February 21, 2025

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Conference League Round of 16: Fiorentina to challenge Panathinaikos or Borac

FLORENCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 12: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between ACF Fiorentina and LASK at Stadio Artemio Franchi on December 12, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Fiorentina qualified directly for the Conference League Round of 16 and in tomorrow’s draw will be paired with either Panathinaikos or Borac.

The Viola finished in the top eight of the new opening league phase table and therefore swept straight through to the knockouts without having to participate in the play-offs.

As the tournament from this stage is placed in a bracket format, that means they already know a 50-50 chance of who they will face next.

The trophy of the UEFA Europa Conference League final football match between ACF Fiorentina and Olympiakos FC at the Aghia Sophia Stadium (AEK Arena) in Athens, Greece on May 29, 2024. (Photo by Dimitris Peristeris / SOOC / SOOC via AFP) (Photo by DIMITRIS PERISTERIS/SOOC/AFP via Getty Images)

Fiorentina had to wait for the results of today’s play-offs, but now know that they will be up against either Greek side Panathinaikos or Bosnia’s FK Borac Banja Luka.

It was surprisingly difficult for Panathinaikos to secure their qualification, as they had lost the first leg 2-1 away to Vikingur, turning it around with a 2-0 home victory sealed by Tetê at the 95^th minute.

Borac were surprise qualifiers for the last 16 in the Conference League, beating 10-man Olimpija 1-0 in the first leg and then holding on for a goalless draw in Slovenia because Filip Manojlovic saved the early Alejandro Blanco penalty.

In this evening’s play-offs, Shamrock Rovers and Molde went to extra time, the Norwegians winning on penalties.