Florence, 4 December 2024 – It was a penalty shootout that decided the winner between Fiorentina ed Empoli. In this eighth final of Cup Italythe final score at the end of the ninety minutes was 2-2. The goal of Eco at the beginning he had given illusions to D’Aversa’s Azzurri, who then cashed in on the Viola comeback with Kean e Thin. The draw of Esposito then directed the match towards the penalty shootout, which was won by the guests. The credit goes to the same Espositoauthor of the decisive last penalty, after the errors from the spot by Eco, Ranieri e Kean in this order. D’Aversa’s team will challenge the winner between Cagliari e Juventus.
The starting lineups
Palladino deploy his Fiorentina with the 4-2-3-1. Terracciano defends the posts, Dodò and Gosens occupy the outside lanes and Comuzzo and Ranieri are the two central defenders. Martinez Quarta plays in midfield next to Cataldi. Colpani, Beltran and Sottil work behind the only striker, Moise Kean. On the other side D’Aversa he prefers a three-man defense for his team Empoli. Seghetti takes his position in goal, Ismajli, Marianucci and Tosto form the defensive trio. Sambia and Cacace run down the flank, Henderson and Belardinelli occupy the central area of the midfield. Solbakken and Ekong move behind Esposito up front.
First half
The match unlocked immediately, already in the fourth minute. Empoli he goes up in pressure and puts the team in difficulty Fiorentinawho loses the ball with CataldiFrom the tackle the ball shoots towards the penalty area Terraccianowhich does not come out of the poles and is burned by Ecowho comfortably places the ball on his right foot and scores the goal that makes it 0-1. The Azzurri immediately ahead in the all-Tuscan derby. The home team, struck cold, try to regroup and take control of the game. The first opportunity for the Viola comes after the quarter of an hour, when Dodo gallops down the left flank and paints a cross to the far post: Kean arrives on time, but one meter from the goal line he heads the ball into the crossbar, disturbed by the marking of an opponent. The pace is not very high and the team D’Aversa takes advantage of this to manage the advantage with serenity. Fiorentina it goes in flames and it is still Dodothis time on the right, to let off steam: his diagonal shot is saved by Hacksawswho deflects the ball into the heart of the area, where Sottil tries a tap-in that hits the opposing defensive wall. Empoli who saves himself in extremis at the 38th minute. The final minutes drag on until the referee’s double whistle guidewhich sends the two teams to rest in the locker rooms for the break.
Second half
Empoli The second half doesn’t start very well and seems to suffer more from the attacks of the Fiorentina. Hacksaws must work hard to avoid trouble in the 56th minute: Sottil passes to Beltran, who is dangerous from the outside. Three minutes later the hosts equalize. Thin dialogue with Richardson in the area, he concludes and finds a save from Seghetti, who however leaves the ball there; Kean he is the quickest to get there and scores the 1-1. About ten minutes later, the Azzurri are back in attack, but Terracciano responds to Esposito’s attempt. Completing the comeback of Palladino’s men is Thin in the 70th minute: the lily winger moves to the centre, concludes on goal and, thanks to a deflection, scores the 2-1. The joy of the Fiorentina it doesn’t last long, because at 75′ Esposito delightfully controls, with the outside, an assist from Henderson in the area and concludes with a lob. The result returns to balance. Seghetti performs a miracle in the 87th minute, when Dodo cross for Keanwho hits a sure header and finds the shutter lowered; the ball then hits Viti, who sends it right back to the goal line. The two teams end in a draw and it goes to penalties.
Penalty shootout
The first team to kick in the series was Fiorentina. Empoli won 4-3.
Fiorentina: Gudmundsson (made), Kouamé (made), Ranieri (saved), Kean (failed), Cataldi (made)
Empoli: Colombo (made), Ekong (failed), Henderson (made), Marianucci (made), Esposito (made)
The match scoreboard
Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): P. Terracciano; Dodò, Comuzzo, L. Ranieri, Gosens (75′ Parisi); Colpani (52′ Ikoné), Beltrán (52′ Gudmundsson), Sottil (74′ Kouamé); Kean. Coach: Palladino.
Empoli (3-4-2-1): Saws; Ismajli (64′ Viti), Marianucci, Tosto; Sambia (82′ Gyasi), L. Henderson, Belardinelli (64′ Maleh), Cacace (64′ Pezzella); Solbakken (74′ Colombo), E. Ekong; S. Esposito. Coach: D’Aversa.
Goalscorers: 4′ Ekong (Emp), 59′ Kean (Fio), 70′ Sottil (Fio), 75′ Esposito (Emp)
Referee: Antonio Giua
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