Fiorentina wins three crucial points in their battle for a European spot, defeating a tenacious Empoli side that, despite being outmanned shortly before the hour of play, has always remained in the game.
A test with lights and shadows that of the Italian men who played less well than usual but got what they wanted owing to Nico Gonzalez’s newfound goal, which he scored in Serie A four months later.
In the first half, Fiorentina tries to create play and put pressure on Vicario, but with little success. Few genuine stops have been made by the visiting goalkeeper, owing in part to Cabral’s poor performance in attack today, but he is in fact implacable. Not only was the Brazilian uncooperative with his teammates, but he also allowed himself the luxury of missing a goal scored directly in front of Vicario, and it is only his offside position that spares him from the wrath of his supporters. Empoli would take the lead in the 38th minute after an opening period in which he mostly sought control, and he would do so in the most rambling manner possible.
Saponara is produced in a back pass to his very risky goalkeeper, Terracciano loses the contrast, which eventually turns out to be foul, with Pinamonti, and Di Francesco realizes in reverse on a harmless cross from the left by Bandinelli. Massimi, the referee, first assigns the goal, then properly cancels it after being reminded by Maresca at the Var. At the opening of the second half, Fiorentina equalized the goal count when Cabral headed home a cross from Saponara, who had started offside after Duncan’s initial ball.
After a few minutes, Empoli is still down to 10 men: Luperto, who has previously been cautioned, commits another foul on Nico Gonzalez, and the referee can only show the red card. Viola took the lead as a result of the subsequent punishment, thanks to Nico Gonzalez being found guilty without being marked. Andreazzoli, trailing by a goal and a man, chooses to sway his Empoli by replacing Henderson, Stulac, and Di Francesco with Viti, Asllani, and Cutrone.
Fiorentina did not recognize their numerical advantage and failed to deliver the knockout punch with Saponara and later Nico Gonzalez. The visitors put in good faith but nothing else until the final triple whistle, when they are vanquished, much to the pleasure of the purple faith’s ‘Franks.’