After a dramatic draw away to FC Twente that featured several huge missed opportunities, and an incredible last-second save by Terracciano, Fiorentina is now in the Conference League.
Due to the absence of the away goals rule in Conference League, La Viola needed to preserve its one-goal advantage going into this decider after winning the first leg at the Stadio Franchi, 2-1. Igor made a full recovery from his injury, but Castrovilli’s was a chronic one. Cerny received a start for Twente following his goal off the bench in Florence despite the loss of Pleguezelo and Brama.
Cabral managed to score during first leg, but the striker had to act as an improvised defender on minute 17 to prevent Vlap from scoring on an angled shot that beat Terracciano following a corner. Later on, Cabral came close to scoring at the other end but was unable to complete Ikone’s pass across from right.
Sottil tried to score a spectacular free kick but Unnerstall made a spectacular reaction save, changing path mid-air. On the othe hand, Terracciano deflected Ramiz Zerrouki’s free kick. When Misidjan caught Venuti off guard, Sottil twice tested Unnerstall at the near post.
Ikone’s opportunity for the Viola was enormous, but Unnerstall came flying out to midfield to clear. Although the goalkeeper’s arm was undoubtedly touched by the ball, play was allowed to continue because there was no VAR.
Ikone should have won it when Nico Gonzalez sent him clear on goal, but he hesitated and was stopped by Unnerstall sticking out a leg in a one-on-one situation. Tzolis, who had just come off the bench, sting Terraciano’s gloves from the edge of the area.
Especially during corners and after Sottil was replaced, FC Twente supporters frequently threw beer and water bottles and glasses onto the field. On minute 79, the game had to be stopped for the second time due to objects thrown at the Fiorentina bench.
Mandragora was so unlucky not to score the game-winning goal on 85 minutes when his acrobatic overhead kick smacked the upright with the goalkeeper beat. Fiorentina was reduced to 10 men when Igor was very harshly given a second yellow card for wasting time in stoppages.
Jovic was sent clear on the counter by Nico Gonzalez, but the former Real Madrid player essentially passed it back to the goalkeeper, prolonging the drama until the very end. Joshua Brenet headed in a cross that was whipped in from the left almost as the game came to a close, but Terracciano somehow managed to dive down and claw the ball off the line with one hand. It was a truly outstanding save.Thus concluded the match, which gave Fiorentina a spot in Conference League. But Surely real test is yet to com for La Viola ahead in Conference League.
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