Fiorentina qualifies for the semi-finals of the Conference League. However, the Viola need extra time to have it beat Viktoria Plzen 2-0 thanks to a liberating goal from Nico Gonzalez and one from Biraghi, after many wasted opportunities and with three woodwork hit during the 120′. Vincenzo Italiano’s Fiorentina had to win against Plzen, after the goalless away draw, and they did so despite struggling to break through the Czech wall even with ten men. Viola for the second consecutive year in the semi-final where they will challenge one of Paok and Club Brugge with an eye towards the final in Athens.
For the match, the Viola coach has to deal with the last-minute absences of Bonaventura and Nzola and decides to rely on an all-quality attack with Nico Gonzalez, Beltram and Kouamé behind Belotti, to undermine the Czech defense , unbeaten in 15 games played in the Conference League this season. By virtue of 11 wins and 4 draws conceding only three goals, but Fiorentina are also unbeaten in this Conference League with 4 wins and 5 draws.
The Viola started very strong and were on the attack, wasting opportunity after opportunity due to inaccuracy and a bit of bad luck. In the 6th minute Kouamé goes away on the left and touches it inside for Belotti who slides and sends it towards goal, but the Czech goalkeeper opposes it. Then on the same play it is Kouamé himself who becomes dangerous with a header, but here too Jedlicka is very good. Viola continues to push, conceding very little to their opponents and in the 30th minute they get another double chance with Kouamé who reaches a close shot, but there is the miracle of Jedlicka who is then helped by the post following a subsequent header from Belotti . In the 45th minute Fiorentina were still unlucky with Kouamé who launched his left foot into the area but hit the crossbar squarely. In injury time, yet another goal arrives, this time at the feet of Nico Gonzalez, with the Czechs taking refuge in a corner and miraculously averting the danger again.
Fiorentina was more cautious in the second half, with the Czechs always covered and ready to restart. In the 56th minute Mandragora tries an overhead kick but the ball ends up high over the crossbar. In the 67th minute Viktoria was left with ten men due to the expulsion after Cadu’s VAR check for a hard foul on Dodô. Fiorentina continues to attack but with the Czechs closing behind they can’t find the right space. We go to extra time with the Viola focusing on field advantage and the extra man.
In the 92nd minute in the first overtime, Fiorentina passes: corner by Biraghi who crosses inside, the ball reaches the left-footed Nico Gonzalez who controls and first-time beats Jedlicka for the 1-0. Space opens up and in the 104th minute another woodwork for the Viola with Martinez Quarta who heads well but hits the post. In the 108th minute Fiorentina doubled their lead thanks to captain Biraghi who only managed to materialize Ikoné’s assist on the counterattack in front of Jedlicka.