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Fiorentina will take a narrow 3-2 lead to Belgium next week as the Italian side left it late to overcome 10-man Club Brugge in a thrilling UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final first leg.
M’Bala Nzola was the late hero for Fiorentina, who are looking to make back-to-back Conference League finals, after first-half goals from Riccardo Sottil and Andrea Belotti had been cancelled out.
I Viola made a fast start to the game, taking the lead after just five minutes thanks to a sensational curling Sottil strike. However, they were quickly pegged back as just over 10 minutes later captain Cristiano Biraghi was penalised for handball in the box which, after a lengthy VAR check, was deemed enough to be a penalty.
Opposing captain Hans Vanaken cooly dispatched from the spot to bring the Belgians level. Heavy downpours disrupted much of the rest of the first-half action, but Fiorentina’s spirits were lifted late on as Belotti provided an instinctive turn and finish to restore the lead and end his 15-game goalless streak.
With the rain clearing over the break Fiorentina looked to make an equally quick start to the second period but were regularly denied by Nordin Jackers in the Club Brugge goal. As the second half intensified a moment of madness saw Raphael Onyedika receive two yellow cards in just two minutes forcing the visitors to play the final 30 minutes with only 10 men.
However, agony soon became ecstasy for Club Brugge who were level just minutes later as Igor Thiago latched onto a long hopeful ball before applying a deft finish to score his 29th goal of the campaign.
Fiorentina threw everything at Club Brugge for the remainder of the game and their persistence was eventually rewarded as substitute Nzola reacted quickest after hitting the post to tap the ball into an empty net in stoppage time.
The Belgians will feel hard done by after a heroic effort but will go into next week’s game knowing this tie is far from over. On the other hand, Fiorentina will be relieved to have a lead to cling onto in Belgium next Wednesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Talking Point – Back-to-back finals on the cards for Fiorentina
The Europa Conference League presents Vincenzo Italiano his final chance of silverware at Fiorentina before likely departing later this summer.
His side came agonisingly close last year just to be denied at the death by Jarrod Bowen, but after taking a lead in this semi-final tie the Italians will see no reason why they can’t get to the final again and, with Olympiacos leading by two goals against competition favourites Aston Villa, will see no reason why they can’t go one better and win the competition outright this year. However, after being taken all the way by a heroic Club Brugge performance, I Viola know they will be in for a tough night next week in Belgium.
Player of the Match – Nico Gonzalez (Fiorentina)
A few players will feel they could have picked up this award tonight in what was a thrilling game, but Fiorentina’s talismanic winger produced a valiant performance for his side. Definitely not his most consistent game in front of goal but Gonzalez provided a constant threat down the left wing and was the home side’s most consistent attacking player in a game where momentum swung frequently.
Player Ratings
Fiorentina: Terracciano 6, Dodo 7, Quarta 6, Ranieri 5, Biraghi 6, Arthur 6, Bonaventura 6, Gonzalez 8, Beltran 5, Sottil 7, Belotti 6. Subs: Kouame 5, Lopez 5, Ikone 6, Barak 5, Nzola 6.
Club Brugge: Jackers 7, Sabbe 6, Spileers 7, Mechele 6, Meijer 6, Skoras 5, Odoi 4, Onyedika 3, Jutgla 5, Vanaken 7, Igor Thiago 7. Subs: Nielsen 5, Veltesen 6, Ordonez 5, Alvarez 5.
Match Highlights
5’ – GOAL! – FIORENTINA 1-0 CLUB BRUGGE (SOTTIL) A stunner from Sottil! Fiorentina’s first forays forward as the winger picks up the ball wide left, cuts inside and curls a perfect strike into the far corner from the edge of the box!
15’ – MICHAEL OLIVER IS GOING TO THE MONITOR After a long conversation the referee has been sent to the moitor. It’s unlucky but the ball does strike Biraghi’s arm…
17’ – GOAL! – FIORENTINA 1-1 CLUB BRUGGE (VANAKEN) The club captain cooly strokes it down the middle and sends the travelling Belgian fans into pandemonium.
37’ – GOAL! – FIORENTINA 2-1 CLUB BRUGGE (BELOTTI) An instinctive finish from Belotti who finds the net for the first time in 15 matches. An acrobatic effort from Gonzalez bounces to Belotti who controls it well and turns sharply before smashing the ball into the bottom corner. He’d looked low on confidence all night but that will be a weight off his shoulders!
60’ – RED CARD CLUB BRUGGE! It’s two cards in two minutes for Onyedika and Brugge are in all kinds of trouble now…
63’ GOAL! – FIORENTINA 2-2 CLUB BRUGGE (IGOR THIAGO) From agony to ecstasy in moments for Brugge! Belotti completely misses his strike at one end and Brugge play a long ball forward to Igor Thiago. The powerful frontman chances the down the loose ball and applies a deft finish into the bottom corner.
91’ – GOAL! – FIORENTINA 3-2 CLUB BRUGGE (NZOLA) Fiorentina lead for a third time tonight! Nzola has only been on the pitch a few minutes but he’s made his impact! A long ball is lofted into the box, Nzola meets it and hits the post initially but he reacts quickest and taps the rebound home to scenes of pure jubilation.
