Fiorentina's Hairy Escape to the Semis
Whew! Fiorentina just squeezed into the UEFA Conference League semi-finals, and let me tell you, it wasn't pretty. A 2-2 draw against NK Celje at the Stadio Artemio Franchi secured a 4-3 aggregate win, but it was way more nail-biting than anyone expected. I mean, they’ve made the quarter-finals ten times in the last eleven years— impressive, right? And this win extends their unbeaten streak in two-legged Conference League ties to a whopping twelve games. Talk about a winning streak!
A Match That Kept Everyone on the Edge of Their Seats
It started well enough. Fiorentina came out swinging, Pongracic almost put one in early. But Celje, the underdogs from Slovenia, quickly found their feet. They tested Fiorentina's goalie— not David De Gea, thankfully, that would have been a weird twist!— with a fantastic save. Mandragora put Fiorentina ahead with a cool finish, and for a second, it looked like smooth sailing. But then… Celje roared back. Matko and Nemanic scored, putting them briefly ahead in the tie. Honestly, who saw that coming? You know how sometimes things just spiral? That's how it felt. Thankfully, Moise Kean popped up with a crucial equalizer to secure Fiorentina’s progression.
Birthday Spats and Post-Match Drama
It was a rollercoaster, even for the coach, Raffaele Palladino, who was celebrating his birthday. Despite the win, he wasn't exactly thrilled. He pointed out Fiorentina’s habit of losing focus after taking the lead, saying they really need to work on managing different phases of the game. And then… the post-match fireworks started. A bit of a spat between Palladino and Celje’s coach, Albert Riera, erupted. Riera wasn't happy, criticizing Palladino's behavior and pointing out the huge difference in the teams' budgets. It was intense.
Kean's Scoring Spree Continues
Moise Kean, though? Absolute star. He bagged his 23rd goal of the season – that's an incredible achievement! Palladino praised his attitude and quality, highlighting his consistent contributions. The guy's a machine!
Looking Ahead to the Semis and Celje's Historic Run
Fiorentina face Real Betis in the semis— a massive challenge. Palladino knows it, emphasizing the need for 110% focus against such strong opposition. But they’re confident. Meanwhile, a huge shout-out to Celje. Their run to the quarter-finals is a massive accomplishment for Slovenian football. They put up a real fight against a much richer team, showcasing incredible resilience.
A Hard-Fought Victory and a Look Ahead
Fiorentina’s victory wasn't pretty, but it was a win. It showed both their strengths and weaknesses—a reminder that even the underdogs can give you a serious run for your money. The Real Betis clash will be another intense battle. Will Fiorentina continue their impressive run? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: it'll be exciting to watch!
