Fiorentina vs Paços de Ferreira live online, on TV and radio

Fiorentina vs Paços de Ferreira live online, on TV and radio - Sep 19, 2013

September 19, 2013 By Mike Goncalves

Topics: Live Stream, TV Schedules, Live Scores, UEFA Europa League, Fiorentina, Paços de Ferreira

The Viola will welcome Paços de Ferreira to the Stadio Artemio Franchi for their opening match in Group E of the UEFA Europa League.

Preview: A number of injuries have caused Montella a selection nightmare

Regardless if you are in the UEFA Champions League or the UEFA Europa League, your competition is going to prove to be a serious test more often than not. For Paços de Ferreira, their first time ever in Europe did not go so well.

After finishing third in the Portuguese League last season under now Porto manager Paulo Fonseca, the Castores booked their place in the Champions League Playoff.

Not knowing what to expect and with a new manager, the Pacenses were ready for the challenge. Unfortunately for them, that challenge came in the form of one Zenit St. Petersburg, which brushed the Portuguese outfit aside in a two leg elimination.

Costinha's side will now begin a new European chapter, but this time in Florence, when they play their first match in Group E against Fiorentina.

The hosts will be missing two key figures through Mario Gomez and Juan Cuardado. A knee injury is set to sideline the former Bayern Munich star for quite sometime, while Cuardado is likely to miss a few matches with a dislocated shoulder.

In their absence, Montella will need to figure out what their best approach is, but he has reiterated his clubs intent in the competition.

"We are not in this competition just to participate," Montella told reporters on Wednesday. "We want to achieve the maximum, and as we play out our matches, we will come to the realization of what that maximum is."

Going up against a Paços de Ferreira side that has yet to win a match in the Portuguese League, the Italians should have a good opportunity to claim the full three points.

But knowing that they are up against a big challenge, Paços' manager and president remain optimistic.

"Fiorentina are favorites, but we are going to do our best to honor our uniform," said Costinha when asked about his sides chances on Thursday. "We are well aware of the differences between both squads, but in football, nothing is impossible," he added.

And despite their four losses in the domestic league in four matches, the clubs president believes that with a little bit of fortune and hard work, they can leave Italy with a smile on their faces.

"Fiorentina is a club that is clearly above us, a strong team, that is used to playing in European competitions, but with a little bit of luck, we can surprise them," said Carlos Barbosa.

Whether you call it luck, fortune or something else, things could be very difficult for Costinha's men on Thursday.

They will need to rely on players like Bebe, who is on loan from Manchester United, but has not been able to establish himself as the player the Red Devils expected him to be. Another key figure to watch for the Portuguese outfit will be Manuel José, who is a product of Porto, and was one of the club's leading scorers last season.

The Viola will need to figure out how to fill the void that was left with Gomez and Cuardado out, but they have more than enough young talent to give it a go. Between Matias Fernandez, Giuseppe Rossi, Ilicic and even Joaquin, Montella should be able to put together enough creativity in the squad to see them come out victorious in their opening match.