Jobaaj Stories
Fiorentina Edge Past Celje in Tense Conference League Clash
Fiorentina secured their place in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals despite a nervy 2-2 draw against Slovenian underdogs NK Celje at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The 4-3 aggregate victory marks Fiorentina's 10th successful quarter-final appearance in their last 11 attempts, extending their unbeaten run in two-legged Conference League ties to an impressive 12.
A Nail-Biting Encounter
The match was far from a comfortable victory for the Italian side. Fiorentina started brightly, with Marin Pongracic narrowly missing an early chance. Celje, however, grew into the game, testing David De Gea (note: the provided text mentions De Gea, but this is likely an error, as he plays for Manchester United. It should be Fiorentina's goalkeeper) with a fine save. Rolando Mandragora opened the scoring for Fiorentina with a cool finish, but Celje fought back, with Aljoša Matko and Klemen Nemanic scoring to briefly put the tie in their favour. Moise Kean’s crucial equalizer, however, sealed Fiorentina's progression.
Post-Match Tensions and Palladino's Assessment
Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino, while celebrating his birthday and the team's advancement, acknowledged the need for improvement. He highlighted Fiorentina's tendency to lose focus after taking the lead and criticized their inability to manage different game phases. The match concluded with an unsavory post-match spat between Palladino and Celje coach Albert Riera, highlighting the intensity of the encounter. Riera criticized Palladino’s behavior, citing the significant difference in the team’s valuations.
Kean's Continued Stellar Form and Looking Ahead
Moise Kean continued his remarkable season, scoring his 23rd goal of the campaign. Palladino praised Kean's attitude and quality, highlighting his consistent contributions. Fiorentina will now face Real Betis in the semi-finals, a challenge Palladino believes the team is ready for, emphasizing the importance of maintaining 110% concentration against top opposition.
Celje's Historic Run Ends
Despite their elimination, NK Celje's run to the Conference League quarter-finals represents a historic achievement for Slovenian football. Their impressive performance, despite facing a far more expensive opponent, serves as testament to their resilience and determination.
Conclusion
Fiorentina's progression to the Conference League semi-finals was hard-earned, highlighting both their quality and their vulnerabilities. The clash against Celje served as a reminder that even the underdogs can pose a significant challenge. The upcoming semi-final against Real Betis promises to be another thrilling encounter. Will Fiorentina continue their impressive run?
