Sassuolo's compact shape will meet Fiorentina's wide movement and far-side arrivals. The important moment is the first central pass: a turnover can send the home wingers forward, while a clean Fiorentina exit can stretch Sassuolo's cover. Al-Gharafa and Al Qadsiah should also turn on the first pressure and the second ball. Qadsiah can own more territory, but Gharafa's recovered possessions can still reach genuine finishers.
Fiorentina recently turned a Jiménez move to Njie and another Njie delivery to João Mário into goals against Atalanta. Sassuolo conceded through wide-to-far-side movement against Lazio and Como, and managed only one shot on target in each of its last two games. Thorstvedt played until his latest red card and is suspended; Fiorentina's Ranieri and Pongracic missed their latest match, with Dragusin and Viery already used together. Sassuolo can threaten that pairing through Berardi and Laurienté, but Fiorentina's observed final touches carry more weight. That's why I'm siding with Fiorentina.
Qadsiah's press and Quiñones can force an early opening, yet their huge Al Riyadh win grew after a goalkeeper rebound and first-pass steal changed the game. Against stronger resistance they have had thinner final supply. Gharafa have shown Coman's finish against Al Ahli and Brahimi's two different finishes in the latest league match. Qadsiah's four named injured players also missed their last game, so the current replacements are already part of their attack; Gharafa's reported absences have not been named. As the match opens after the break, Sassi or Brahimi can turn a recovery into another box contact. That's why I'm siding with Al-Gharafa.
