David v Goliath as TNS prepare for Fiorentina culture shock

The New Saints qualified for the group stages of the Europa Conference League with a 3-0 aggregate win over FK Panevezys of Lithuania

Europa Conference League: Fiorentina v The New Saints

Venue: Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence Date: Thursday, 3 October Kick off: 20:00 BST

Coverage: Live commentary and text on the BBC Sport website and app, and commentary on Radio Shropshire.

The New Saints have come to the right place for inspiration.

For just a few kilometres from the Stadio Artemio Franchi where Craig Harrison's side will face Fiorentina this evening, stands a breathtaking reminder of upsetting the odds.

Michelangelo's statue of David is among the many renaissance era wonders that make Florence one of the most must-see cities in Europe.

TNS are here to see how they fare against a relative Goliath as they kick off their Uefa Conference League campaign, the first time a side from the Welsh pyramid has reached a group stage in Europe.

This is a huge opportunity for Welsh champions who have long waited for this moment – but also a giant-sized task against hosts who have reached the final the past two seasons.

"Obviously we're massive underdogs, but we can almost go there relaxed and play without any expectation," manager Harrison told BBC Sport Wales.

"And I'd imagine the other teams will all be thinking exactly the same: TNS versus them will be an opportunity to get points," he added.

"But the expectations from myself and from the players is that we don't embarrass ourselves. We're going to represent Wales and TNS in the best light we can, show the best possible version of ourselves and then from then on what will be will be.

"If we've got a good attitude and work hard, we're organised, everyone's together, who knows what can happen."

A shock of biblical proportions, perhaps? There will not be much of a prayer given to the chances of it happening, not even from the most optimistic of TNS fans; a small but smiling band of 150 are expected to have made the trip from the Welsh borders to Tuscany.

However, the Saints arrive at the club once of Roberto Baggio and Gabriel Batistuta, to find it a very different team to those days of the Divine Ponytail and El Angel Gabriel.

Indeed, Fiorentina are not the same as they were when they came so close to lifting this new European trophy only to lose out to West Ham in 2023 and Olympiacos a year later.

While new signings David de Gea and ex-Everton striker Moises Kean will be familiar names, the new-look team have struggled under new manager Raffaele Palladino, the former Monza manager and Italy forward.

They have only one win to their name in Serie A, beating Lazio last month courtesy of two penalties from Iceland striker Albert Gudmundsson.

And they are facing the prospect of sending out a shadow side this evening with something of a selection crisis caused by injuries and – remarkably – suspensions for the three red cards received as they scraped past Hungary's Puskas Akademia in the play-off round. All four first-choice centre-backs are out.

A goalless draw in the derby with Empoli at the weekend did little to lift the anxious mood of the Viola fans.

The New Saints players training in Italy

Dreams come true

Only 9,000 fans are expected in the iconic stadium that is currently being renovated.

Not that TNS will have been much of a draw for the locals.

Their name was barely mentioned to Palladino in the pre-match media conference, with more focus on being ready for Sunday's match against AC Milan.

In Cymru Premier, by contrast, TNS face Briton Ferry Llansawel on their return.

But in a city of cultural significance, this game is a historic one too for Welsh domestic football.

While Welsh clubs have all had their runs and remarkable results in Europe – Cardiff City’s 1971 win over Real Madrid, Newport and Wrexham reaching the Cup Winners' Cup quarter-finals, Swansea City beating Valencia at Mestalla Stadium as recently as 10 years ago – this is uncharted territory for a club from the country’s own league pyramid.

Amid recent talk of the English Football League (EFL) clubs being offered a return to possible qualification, it would be timely to show they are not completely out of place at this level, even as complete underdogs.

"A lot of the time, from a domestic point of view, we are heavy favourites so the tables will be turned and we'll be going there and really enjoying the occasion," said Harrison, who has leaned on the knowledge of Como's Welsh technical director Osian Roberts for some tips.

"Every single one of us in that dressing room at some point – including myself - would have been a young boy dreaming of something like this, and it will actually be happening.

"We will all be like that, from the owner right the way through to the staff. We'll all be there, but we've got to remember we're there to do a job."

Stood tall just a few miles away, David would surely approve of such ambition.