Fiorentina-Udinese 1-2: Thauvin show, second consecutive stop for the Viola

Firenze – If the top-class train now travels quickly and does not allow sudden stops, Fiorentina risks having to downgrade after their second consecutive defeat in the championship. The first at the Franchi stadium, against Udinese who suffered the blow in the first half but then reacted by keeping the pace constant and taking advantage of a few too many errors by the Viola. Precisely on the evening that had marked the great emotion for Edoardo Bove, who after the illness three weeks ago during the match against Inter, had returned to the Franchi for the first time. Not as a player, because after the implantation of the subcutaneous defibrillator he will have to wait for a possible new suitability to be able to resume agnostic sporting activity.

«The match report»

Bove returns to Franchi and brings his teammates off the bench

And so Bove sat on the bench, thanks to a special FIGC exemption requested and obtained by the Viola club, after arriving at the stadium by bus together with his teammates. Lots of applause from the over twenty thousand spectators for the twenty-two year old who will remain a Viola member until the end of the season. Bove followed his teammates' warm-up and then sat on the additional bench next to coach Palladino.

Kean on penalty, Fiorentina's rocket start

His team took the lead in the first half with Moise Kean's fifteenth goal of the season (ten in the league) scored on a penalty awarded by Sottil following a knockdown by Kristensen. Referee Marcenaro had initially let it go, warning Sottil for protests. Then the call from VAR and the decision to award the spot kick. Fiorentina would have the opportunity to double their lead but in the second half Runjaic straightened out his formation and the Friulians overtook. First Ranieri misses the relaunch, finding the chest of Ekkelenkamp who serves Lucca with a skillful volley into the net.

Thauvin in cattedra

Then Thauvin's right corner, from the edge of the area, beats De Gea on his right. Palladino brings on Gudmundsson while Kean has two chances to equalize which he however fails to exploit. On Sunday, the former Vlahovic and Nico Gonzalez (white and black who now have the same points as the purple, 31) will be away on the Juventus pitch with Moise Kean returning for the first time to what was his stadium before saying goodbye to the search of a new Florentine adventure. Palladino's team will then begin 2025 at home against Antonio Conte's Napoli. Really complicated challenges that could further define the ranking in the top positions. Udinese, however, comes out to applause and, thanks also to the moves of coach Runjaic, finds continuity and hope for a more intriguing championship with Milan now three points behind in the standings.

Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): De Gea 6 – Kayode 6, Comuzzo 6, Ranieri 5, Gosens 5 (41' st Parisi) – Adli 5.5 (17' st Mandragora 5.5), Cataldi 5.5 – Colpani 5.5 (25' st Ikonè 5.5), Beltran 6 (17' st Gudmundsson 5.5), Sottil 6 (25' st Corner 5.5)- Kean 6.5. All. Palladino 5.5.

Udinese (3-5-2): Sava 5.5 – Kristensen 5, Kabasele 6.5, Touré 5.5 (1' st Abankwah 6.5) – Ehizibue 6 (41' st Rui Modesto sv), Lovric 6, Karlstrom 6, Ekkelenkamp 6.5 (21' st Atta 6.5), Zemura – Thauvin – Thauvin 7 (41' st Bravo sv), Luke 7. All. Runjaic 7.

Referee: Marcenaro 5.5.

Markers: 8’ pt Kean, 4’ st Lucca, 12’ st Thauvin.

Note: ammoniti Sottil, Zemura, Kristensen, Kouame, Lovric.

Spectators: 20,505.