Fiorentina narrowly advanced to the UEFA Conference League group stage after a nail-biting penalty shootout victory over Puskas Akademia. The Italian side, reduced to nine men, relied heavily on goalkeeper David De Gea’s heroics to overcome their Hungarian opponents.
Following a 3-3 draw in the first leg, the return match at the Pancho Arena in Felcsut ended 1-1 after extra time, necessitating penalties to determine the winner. New Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino made several changes to the starting lineup, including Dodo, Cristiano Biraghi, Amir Richardson, and Moise Kean.
The match began with a minute’s silence honoring former Fiorentina coach Sven-Goran Eriksson. Early on, Fiorentina struggled defensively, with Marin Pongracic receiving a yellow card and De Gea forced into a crucial save against Urho Nissila.
Fiorentina broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 59th minute through Moise Kean’s skillful solo effort. However, their lead was short-lived as Puskas Akademia equalized via a Zsolt Nagy penalty in stoppage time, following Luca Ranieri’s dismissal for a second yellow card.
The Viola’s troubles compounded in extra time when Pietro Comuzzo received a controversial second yellow, reducing them to nine men. De Gea’s outstanding performance kept Fiorentina in the game, making several crucial saves to force penalties.
In the shootout, De Gea’s save on Puskas captain Roland Szolnoki proved decisive, allowing Cristiano Biraghi to convert the winning penalty and secure Fiorentina’s place in the Conference League group stage.
The draw for the competition will take place in Monaco on Friday, August 30, where Fiorentina will learn their group stage opponents.
Goals: Kean 59 (F), Zs. Nagy pen 90+7 (P)
Penalties: Komaromi (P, goal), Mandragora (F, goal), Favorov (P, goal), Kouame (F, goal), Golla (P, goal), Colpani (F, goal), Szolnoki (P, saved), Richardson (F, goal), Sz. Nagy (P, goal), Biraghi (F, goal)
Puskas Akademia: Pecsi; Maceiras, Golla, Stronati, Zs. Nagy; Plsek (Szolnoki 79), Favorov, Nissila; Soisalo (Vekony 88), Pujic (Colley 67), Levi (Komaromi 67)
Fiorentina: De Gea; Martinez Quarta (Parisi 71), Pongracic (Comuzzo 54), Ranieri; Dodò (Kayode 83), Amrabat, Richardson, Biraghi; Ikone (Colpani 54), Sottil (Kouame 54); Kean (Mandragora 91)
