After losing the Coppa Italia (1:2 against Inter) and Conference League final in 2023 (1:2 against West Ham), AC Florence are set for their next final. In the cup semi-final first leg against Atalanta Bergamo, they managed a 1-0 win
On March 17, Atalanta and Florence had met in the course of the 29th Serie A matchday, but the game was canceled at short notice. The reason: AC managing director Joe Barone had suffered a heart attack and subsequently died.
Now, before the league match can be rescheduled, the two teams met in the Coppa Italia semi-final. Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano, who had won just one of six Serie A games including the recent 2-1 defeat to Milan and had dropped out of the international race with his charges, opted for ex-Stuttgart man Gonzalez and Roma loanee Belotti in attack. Meanwhile, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini had to do without key players such as Scalvini and de Ketelaere due to injury, but was able to rely on Lookman and Miranchuk up front.
Mandragora knocks one out
However, the Bergamasques were to have nothing to do with attacking soccer for the entire first half of this cup first leg. Only a long-range shot from Koopmeiners, which was blocked, hinted at something like danger
The Violets were in full control of the game and, driven on by their supporters, combined much better from the start. They also acted with much more determination and were more tenacious in tackles.
They also looked good in terms of chances: Ex-Stuttgart player Gonzalez tested goalkeeper Carnesecchi in the 11th minute, Beltran also failed to beat the AC keeper (23′), before Belotti narrowly missed a Gonzalez cross (24′). In the 31st minute, however, the spell was broken and Florence took the lead – and how: Mandragora took heart from around 25 meters and thundered the ball in fantastically and unstoppably with the help of the left inside post
Only Scamacca makes Florence tremble
Meanwhile, the second half was more of a managed affair, although a 2-0 lead was certainly possible. Gonzalez failed to score with a dangerous header after an outstanding effort from Atalanta goalkeeper Carnesecchi (57′). And in the 63rd minute, the goalkeeper remained the winner in this duel. Belotti and Ranieri (69), who had two chances to extend the lead within a short space of time – but missed the target – were also in for a real upset.
All in all, the evening was a successful one, as the Fiorentina defense did not let anything get in the way and kept the score at 1-0. An equalizer was only in the air at the end of the day in the 66th minute, when Scamacca narrowly missed a Bakker cross. And so last year’s finalists Florence celebrated a 1-0 victory that opened the door to the final. The second leg will take place on April 24 (9 p.m.).
