Conference League, Guimaraes-Fiorentina 1-1

Fiorentina risks defeat and snatches a golden draw from Guimaraes, which is invaluable for the final standings. The Viola, with this 1-1, fly to the round of 16 of the Conference League. There is a great crowd and a great atmosphere at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques, but the best start is for the Viola. Ikonè immediately wasted a great opportunity and Fiorentina seemed to control the midfield, only to then lose badly in the second half of the first half. Vitoria raises its head with Nuno Santos, takes a risk on Dodò’s shot and surprisingly passes in the 33rd minute. Thanks to a serious mistake by Comuzzo, which triggered the restart of the rivals: Kaio Cesar darts down the right lane and inspires Gustavo Silva, who only has to push it into the net. Terracciano can’t do anything about it and takes a big risk nine minutes later, when his risky intervention risks causing a penalty: the referee, however, changes his mind and warns Gustavo Silva for simulation. Thus we go to half-time at 1-0 for Guimaraes’ club and Palladino, furious, makes two changes at half-time: Adli and Ranieri come on for Richardson and Comuzzo.

The inertia of the match does not change and the hosts come close to an encore with Joao Mendes, so here is also the Kean move in the 57th minute. Fiorentina wakes up with the arrival of the attacker, who immediately comes close to making it 1-1, but is not in his best condition. Vitoria Guimaraes comes very close to doubling the score with Tiago Silva and Gustavo Silva, who challenges Terracciano. Purple shiver ten minutes from the end due to the chances that occurred to Beltran and Kouamé, which however were immediately balanced by a huge risk: Kaio Cesar took off and caressed the encore with his left foot, very narrowly out. With Vitoria leaning forward and in control, the draw came as a bit of a surprise: Dodò shoots from the edge, Bruno Varela deflects and Mandragora responds into the net from a tight angle. Vitoria protested for a potential offside by Kouamé, but was denied by the VAR and the referee, seeing the victory slip away in the 86th minute. It ends 1-1 and the two teams fly arm in arm to the Conference round of 16: the Bianconeri second behind Chelsea (18) with 14 points, the Viola on 13 thanks to goal difference. A result that will also be extremely positive during the draw for the round of 16.