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Fiorentina Edge Past NK Celje in Tense Conference League Clash
Fiorentina secured their place in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals with a hard-fought 4-3 aggregate victory over Slovenian side NK Celje. Despite a nervy 2-2 draw at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, the Italian side advanced thanks to their 2-1 first-leg win. This marks Fiorentina's tenth quarter-final win in eleven attempts and extends their unbeaten streak in two-legged Conference League ties to an impressive twelve.
A Dramatic Start and a Nervy Finish
The match began with an unusual pre-game incident: Celje's team bus was clamped for illegal parking near the stadium. This minor setback didn't deter the Slovenian side, who quickly found their rhythm. Fiorentina, however, controlled much of the first half, with Rolando Mandragora opening the scoring with a composed finish. The second half saw a dramatic turnaround. Celje, energized, equalized through Aljoša Matko and then took the lead with a powerful header from Klemen Nemanic. But Moise Kean, having a remarkable season with 23 goals and 3 assists in 39 games, struck back almost immediately to secure Fiorentina's passage to the semi-finals.
Post-Match Tension and Palladino's Comments
The match wasn't without controversy. Post-match, Fiorentina's coach, Raffaele Palladino, engaged in a heated exchange with Celje's coach, Albert Riera, with Riera complaining about the disparity in the teams' squad values (€13m vs €300m). Palladino, while acknowledging areas for improvement in Fiorentina's performance, emphasized the importance of respect between colleagues. He highlighted Fiorentina's need to maintain focus against supposedly "smaller" teams, ensuring that they don't take anything for granted.
Looking Ahead: The Semi-Final Showdown
Fiorentina now face Real Betis in the semi-finals, a team they'll need to be fully prepared for. Palladino's focus is on improving the team's ability to manage different match moments and avoid the costly distractions that nearly cost them against Celje. While celebrating this hard-earned victory, the Viola will undoubtedly be working diligently to prepare for their next challenge. This historic third consecutive Conference League semi-final appearance is a testament to Fiorentina's European prowess.
