Pellegrini: ‘Real Betis not favourites against Fiorentina’ in Conference League semi final 1st leg

Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini insists the Conference League semi-final with Fiorentina is going to be ‘very balanced’ and there are no favourites going into the first leg this evening.

It kicks off at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in Seville at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT, 21.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The decider will be at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Thursday May 8.

Pellegrini an old hand for Real Betis

Many consider Betis to be tipped for success, even though this is their first ever UEFA tournament semi-final.

“I don’t think we are the favourites, these are two teams in good form, so over the 180 minutes we’ll try to fight for the Final. We are not the favourites, I would not be upset at that, but I do feel the teams are very balanced,” Pellegrini told Sky Sport Italia.

Real Betis have made changes, with Romain Perraud and Aitor Ruibal given the nod as very attacking full-backs, while Abdessamad Ezzalzouli is preferred to Jesus Rodriguez upfront.

Kean on the bench for Fiorentina

As for Fiorentina, the major doubt was over centre-forward Moise Kean, who is not risked from the start after missing the last two games dealing with a family matter in Paris.

“Fiorentina are very dangerous when attacking, they have good technique and powerful strikers,” concluded Pellegrini.

“Even though Kean isn’t starting, Beltran and Gudmundsson are also very good, so we must be sure to defend and not just focus on attacking.”