Giallorossi lead in the first half through El Shaarawy, but Jovic and Ikoné score in the 85th and 88th minutes
May 27 – Florence
The bodies of the players were in the boiling basin – in the literal sense of the term – of the Franchi stadium, but the heads of Fiorentina and Roma, on the other hand, were respectively in Prague and Budapest at least for the entire first half. The two finals of the Conference (the Viola on 7 June) and the Europa League (the Giallorossi on 31 May) cannibalized the attention of Fiorentina and Roma for a long time, who, however, as the minutes went by, gave life to a match that was not contemptible after all. given the context. It ends with 2-1 for the hosts, sanctified by the goals of El Shaarawy, Jovic and Ikoné, with a comeback that arrived on the end credits, which inevitably became electric even on the benches, with in the end the Italian who also sends someone to hell of his fans in the stands behind him.
THE SCRATCH OF THE PHARAOH
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Of the two teams, José Mourinho’s was without a doubt the most dressed up at the start. In fact, Vincenzo Italiano, who celebrates one hundred benches in Florence (yesterday’s was actually the 102nd), lines up a 4-3-3 all in all full of second lines but respectable, with Venuti, Quarta, Igor and captain Biraghi in front to Cerofolini, while in the midfield it’s up to Duncan and Mandragora to support Ikoné, Barak and Saponara behind Jovic. Mourinho’s 4-3-3-much more experimental who, if he has Solbakken and El Shaarawy in support of Belotti in front, sees the baby Bove and Tahirovic lined up alongside Wijnaldum in the median. But it is the defense that is the most revolutionized department, with Missori and Zalewski on the flanks, supported by the veterans of Smalling and Llorente. It is logical that Fiorentina settle in the Roma median, but without much construct and, above all, by showcasing a fragile defense. So the Giallorossi pass at the first thrust. In the 12th minute, in fact, a cross from Belotti surprised the rearguard, allowing Solbakken a trendy header and El Shaarawy an easy goal from close range. It is the advantage, which could lead to an easy encore in the 26th minute, when Quarta and Igor fall asleep, allowing Wijnaldum to introduce himself face to face with Cerofolini, who saves, the ball goes to Solbakken, whose shot saved on the line by Quarta himself. Fiorentina shakes and a minute later a header by Jovic commits Svilar to the ground. Jovic himself then, in the 31st minute, shot from the edge just wide. In short, the feeling is that the hosts are waking up, because in the 33rd minute, with a free-kick, Biraghi engages Svilar. But it’s a flash in the pan, because the Viola make grotesque mistakes when dribbling. In the 44th minute El Shaarawy involuntarily serves, whose shot at the crossroads is saved by Cerofolini. Two minutes later the Argentine lost another ball and this time the goalkeeper had to save on Belotti. In short, the hosts close the time in pitch darkness.
TURNOVER
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In the second half, the Italian brings out Quarta for Milenkovic, while Terzic takes the place of Biraghi. Mourinho instead leaves Smalling and El Shaarawy at rest, inserting Mancini and Celik, advancing Zalewski forward. Already in the 2nd minute the Viola claim a penalty for a hand from Mancini in the area, but Ayroldi lets it go. In the 9th minute, however, an acceleration by Ikoné would free Jovic, anticipated at the last moment from the ground for a corner by Llorente. Fiorentina tries to press on the accelerator, but leaves space in their own half. However, Mou decides to cover himself, inserting Cristante for Wijnaldum, with the blue who positions himself in front of the defense to act as a breakwater, widening Tahirovic on the left. Italian runs for cover by replacing Venuti and Saponara with Dodo and Sottil. In the 22nd minute, from a corner, the home team asks for a penalty for a hold by Mancini against Milenkovic, who engages Svilar as the header continues. Special One then decides to lock down by putting Ibanez for Solbakken, with the Brazilian blocked on the right wing. The Viola then go for broke, inserting Kouame for Duncan, pulling Barak back in the median. It is understood that Fiorentina will try the cross card, so the Giallorossi insert Abraham for Zalewski, designing a robust 5-3-2. In the 37th minute Sottil paid off in the area, with Viola claiming a penalty again, igniting an argument on the benches, first calmed by a yellow card for Mourinho and then by a hug between the latter and the Italian. And when it seems that the match is slipping towards the end, a cross from Kouame finds a header from Mandagora, which frees Jovic under measure for the equalizer. It is true that Roma are protesting a foul by Mandragora himself on Ibanez, but it is the 40th minute and it seems that the 1-1 draw satisfies everyone, but Fiorentina insists and in the 42nd minute a cross from Terzic finds a header from Kouame who towards the goal line, Ibanez peels the ball and Ikoné – confused until then – scores from two steps away. A surprise overtaking, which Roma, however, sought a bit, by lowering their center of gravity too much. Moral: head to the two finals, the only matches that now count for the Viola and the Giallorossi. Hoping maybe in a few days Italy will be able to celebrate twice.
May 27, 2023 (change May 27, 2023 | 8:12 PM)
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