Fiorentina Stages Comeback to Secure Victory Over Rakow in Conference League Round of 16

Match Summary

Fiorentina turned the tables on Rakow in a thrilling first leg of the Conference League Round of 16, coming from behind to claim victory.

Match Highlights

Fiorentina faced a challenging hour of balanced play before the Polish team made the first breakthrough. Fazzini lost possession just outside the penalty area, allowing Brunes—related to star player Haaland—to take advantage and score, catching the defense and goalkeeper Christensen off guard. However, Fiorentina quickly responded. Mandragora intercepted the ball, distributing it to Ndour, who executed a stunning volley that found the target under the crossbar, leveling the match almost immediately.

Late Drama Unfolds

As the match neared its conclusion, further excitement ensued. In the 83rd minute, 2006-born Riccardo Braschi, a product of Fiorentina’s academy, made his senior debut and was visibly emotional by the final whistle. The decisive moment arrived in stoppage time, when a penalty was awarded following a clear handball by Makuch during a Dodò cross. Gudmundsson stepped up to take the penalty and confidently scored, sealing the comeback victory for Fiorentina. The return leg will take place in Poland within the next week.

Key Moments

90th Minute: Penalty Decision

A dramatic closing: Makuch handled the ball while attempting to defend a Dodò cross, resembling a goalkeeper’s intervention. VAR confirmed his positioning on the line rendered the handball punishable.

Gudmundsson Converts from the Spot

Taking the penalty, Gudmundsson executed it perfectly, ensuring Fiorentina’s late comeback against Rakow.

Additional Match Incidents

85th Minute: Parisi’s Near Red Card

Fabiano Parisi seemed close to receiving a red card after a foul with his arm on Tudor. Expressing his discontent with the referee’s yellow card decision by applauding, he narrowly avoided further punishment.

83rd Minute: Emotional Senior Debut for Braschi

Riccardo Braschi, a promising forward from the Fiorentina U20 setup, made his senior team debut, eliciting tears of joy as he ended the match.

60th to 62nd Minutes: Rapid Exchanges of Goals

The game, which had been relatively quiet for an hour, ignited with two quick goals. First, Rakow’s Brunes scored following a defensive error by Fazzini, but Ndour countered almost instantly with a spectacular volley that resurrected Fiorentina’s hopes.

First Half Overview: Limited Chances

The game began with Rakow appearing stronger, threatening early with efforts from Pienko and Lopez. As the first half progressed, Fiorentina applied pressure, with Gosens nearly scoring from a free kick and Fazzini being denied by the crossbar and a save from Zych.

Official Line-Ups

Fiorentina (4-3-3):
Christensen; Fortini, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens; Fabbian, Mandragora, Ndour; Parisi, Piccoli, Fazzini.

Rakow (3-4-3):
Zych; Tudor, Svarnas, Racovitan; Repka, Struski, Ameyaw; Plenko, Makuch; Brunes, Lopez.