Vitoria Guimaraes-Fiorentina 1-1: Mandragora responds to Gustavo Silva

Ilaria Masini

December 19, 2024 (changed at 11.52pm) – FIRENZE

Fiorentina drew at home to Vitoria Guimaraes and directly entered the round of 16 of the Conference League, placing third in the single group with its 13 points, behind Chelsea and Vitoria itself. For the Portuguese, Gustavo Silva scored in the first half while Mandragora scored in the second half to make it 1-1.

THE CHOICES

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Raffaele Palladino initially rested Moise Kean and relied on Kouame as a center forward with Ikoné, Gudmundsson and Beltran behind him. In defense Dodo, Quarta, Comuzzo and Parisi while the entire midfield changes, deploying Richardson and Mandragora. On the other side, Rui Borges chooses a 4-3-3 with Kaio Cesar, Gustavo Silva and Nuno Santos on the attacking front and captain Varela defends the posts.

PURPLE SUFFERING

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Gustavo Silvia is the first to appear in the Terracciano area, between the 2nd and 6th minute, with two attempts to finish without dangerous consequences for the Viola who in the meantime waste it with Koaume, who slides into the net, and Ikoné who is imprecise . The first real thrill comes in the 20th minute when Vitoria Guimaraes advances with Nuno Santos who unloads a right-footed shot, just wide. The Portuguese persist in the 25th minute: Kaio shoots and from Terracciano’s short rebound, Gustavo Silva shoots high. For the two it is only a dress rehearsal because in the 33rd minute it is the latter who gives the home team the lead with a low assist from the right from Kaio. Both Comuzzo and Quarta were mocked on the occasion. The Argentine defender commits another act of negligence towards the end of the half, this time without repercussions. Vitoria ends the first half still ahead, while Fiorentina suffers too much and never manages to make an impact.

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MANDRAGORA DRAW

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The second half begins with two changes for Palladino as Luca Ranieri and Yacine Adli come on instead of Comuzzo and Richardson who remain in the locker room. However, it is still the Portuguese who create the first opportunity with Tiago Silva sending the ball wide. After 11′ minutes two more substitutions for Fiorentina: space for Colpani for Ikoné and for Kean for Gudmundsson. The first ever shot on target for the Viola came in the 21st minute when Beltran fed Kean who however was stopped by Varela, just as shortly after Terracciano well blocked a shot from Gustavo Silva. Kaio tries again for the home team, while for Fiorentina Beltran, Ranieri and Kouame are looking for an equalizer, all without concrete results. Meanwhile, Samu joins Vitoria for Mendes, Handel for Tiago Silva, Arcanjo for Nuno Santos and in the Viola ranks the latest change is Gosens in place of Parisi. Palladino’s team starts to push and Mandragora is the man who brings the score back to parity in the 42nd minute: Dodo crosses from the right and challenges Varela who manages to deflect, but puts the ball the other way, onto Mandragora’s feet with no he makes a mistake and gives his team a 1-1 draw. In the final Bica replaced Kaio, without further shocks and Fiorentina through to the direct round of 16.