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Fiorentina knocked out in Conference League semifinals by Real Betis Sevilla after extra time. Gosens’ brace not enough to reach the final.

Fiorentina has to surrender to Real Betis Sevilla. The Viola, tasked with overturning the 2-1 deficit from the Sanchez Pizjuan, only succumbs in extra time, after an extremely balanced match. The 2-2 draw at the Franchi is not enough for the Viola to reach the Conference League final for the third consecutive year. Coach Palladino’s team managed to react to the temporary disadvantage scored by Antony, taking the lead at the end of the first half thanks to Robin Gosens’ brace. The following 45 minutes of the second half are not enough to determine the finalist, and the match goes on for another 30 minutes.

Ezzalzouli’s goal in the 97th minute of the first extra time condemns Fiorentina to elimination. Real Betis Sevilla, in their first European final in history, will face Chelsea in the final in Wroclaw on May 28th. Huge disappointment for Fiorentina as they fail to replicate their previous performances in the Conference League. Italy will have only one team in the European finals, Inter.

Fiorentina, Gosens the hero

1st half

Fiorentina starts with the handbrake on, and in the first minutes of the game it is Real Betis Sevilla leading the play. At 14′, the Viola create the first chance, Adli finds Kean in the area, but he fails to shoot in front of goal due to the excellent intervention of the Spanish goalkeeper. The linesman had signaled the irregular position of the Italian striker. At 19′, great play by Kean. The Viola striker manages to shoot after completing a slalom between two opponents: his shot goes high over the crossbar. At 23′, Comuzzo almost scores on a corner kick: the attempt by the blue defender is saved on the goal line by the Spanish defense.

At 30′, Fiorentina falls behind. Antony breaks the deadlock with a great goal. After the goal in the first leg, the former Manchester United player repeats his performance at the Franchi with a fantastic 30-meter free-kick: his shot is precise and hits the inside post before ending up in the net. 4th goal for the Brazilian winger in the competition. The Viola immediately responds, and after 3 minutes, they quickly equalize to 1-1 from a corner kick. Mandragora finds Gosens in the box, who levels the match with a great header at the far post.

Chance for Real Betis Sevilla in the 40th minute: Johnny Cardoso almost scores with a shot from outside the box. The crossbar saves the Viola, who respond immediately. Fiorentina still relies on Robin Gosens and his ability in aerial play. At 43′, the left winger is the protagonist of the 2-1 goal. Adli’s cross from the corner goes to the near post, where Gosens is excellent at beating everyone and scoring his personal brace. In injury time, again from a corner kick, Kean has the opportunity for 3-1. The Spaniards suffer greatly from set pieces.

The first half ends with Fiorentina leading 2-1, and with the tie restored in the two-legged tie.

2nd half

At halftime, Palladino substitutes Adli. Richardson comes in for him. A determined start to the second half by Real Betis Sevilla, who push forward in search of the equalizer. In the 58th minute, the first changes also for Pellegrini, coach of the Andalusians, who brings on Ezzalzouli and Mendy for Lo Celso and Bartra. In the second half, both teams seem to feel the tension of the game, and the pace becomes more fragmented. Referee Nyberg shows yellow cards to Richardson, Nathan, and Kean.

At 86′, Fiorentina has a chance for the third goal from a very dangerous free-kick by Mandragora. The midfielder’s curling cross goes across the entire goalmouth, where Gosens narrowly misses it. In the 89th minute, De Gea excels with a double save on Antony and Ezzalzouli. The 90 minutes end without further excitement and without goals. Fiorentina and Real Betis will play for a spot in the final in extra time.

Extra Time

A shocking start to extra time for Fiorentina. Pellegrini invents Ruibal in the unusual position of central striker, and it proves to be a successful move. In the 97th minute, the Betis player shields the ball and plays a through pass to Antony: the Brazilian then sets up Ezzalzouli all alone at the far post. The Moroccan only has to push the ball into the net from a few yards out for the 2-2 equalizer. Fiorentina’s response is all in an individual effort from Dodò, but his cross is blocked for a corner by goalkeeper Vieites.

In the second extra time, Palladino risks everything: Dodò and Pongracic are replaced by Colpani and Zaniolo. With Fiorentina heavily attacking in search of the qualifying goal, Real Betis Sevilla finds a wide-open field to counterattack. In the 106th minute, Beltran attempts a shot from outside the box, too central to trouble Vieites. In the 116th minute, Isco misses the match point from inside the penalty area. In the 119th minute, Ezzalzouli again comes close to scoring the 3-2 goal: the Moroccan hits the post one-on-one with De Gea. In injury time, the Viola lack the clarity to create one last chance.

It ends 2-2 Fiorentina-Real Betis Sevilla: Palladino’s team stops in the Conference League semifinals.