Fiorentina: On April 10, 2025, ACF Fiorentina secured a critical 2-1 away victory in opposition to NK Celje in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals. This win now no longer most effective strengthens their function in the tie however additionally showcases their resilience and tactical area at the European stage.
Match Overview
The match passed off on the Arena Z’dežele in Celje, Slovenia, with a capacity crowd witnessing an intensely contested encounter. Fiorentina, regardless of making numerous adjustments to their beginning lineup, established their intensity and quality. Celje, making their debut in the quarter-finals of a UEFA competition, commenced the match with excessive intensity, growing early strain.
First Half: Fiorentina’s Tactical Discipline
The commencing forty 5 mins noticed Celje dominate possession, however Fiorentina’s protective organisation remained steadfast. The traffic absorbed strain and seemed to counter-assault whilst possible. In the 27th minute, Fiorentina’s captain Luca Ranieri broke the impasse with a remarkable solo attempt.
He refrained from defenders and struck an effective shot that beat Celje’s goalkeeper Ricardo Silva at his close to the post. This purpose changed into a testimony to Ranieri’s character brilliance and Fiorentina’s medical aspect.
Second Half: Celje’s Response and Fiorentina’s Composure
Celje got here out with renewed power after the break, pushing for an equalizer. In the 68th minute, they were offered a penalty following a nasty throw through Fiorentina’s Marin Pongračić on Matko. Logan Delaurier-Chaubet transformed the spot-kick, leveling the rating at 1-1. However, Fiorentina replied swiftly.
Just minutes later, they earned a penalty on their own whilst Celje’s Jaka Karnicnik fouled Rolando Mandragora in the box. Mandragora with a bit of luck transformed the penalty, restoring Fiorentina’s lead at 2-1.
The final tiers of the match have been marked through extreme strain from Celje. In the death mins, Fiorentina’s goalkeeper David De Gea made critical saves, first denying Vuklisevic after which preventing a close-variety attempt from Edmilson, making sure his team’s slim victory.
Tactical Breakdown
Fiorentina’s Defensive Solidity
Fiorentina hired a compact protective structure, proscribing Celje’s attacking opportunities. The midfield trio labored diligently to disrupt Celje’s rhythm, at the same time as the backline remained prepared under strain. The team’s capacity to take in strain and capitalize on counter-assaults changed into glaring all through the match.
Celje’s High Press and Offensive Play
Celje’s excessive urgent recreation aimed to disrupt Fiorentina’s build-up play. Their offensive method centered on brief transitions and exploiting areas left through Fiorentina’s protective line. Despite their efforts, they have been not able to interrupt down Fiorentina’s protection consistently.
Player Performances
Luca Ranieri
Ranieri’s commencing purpose changed into a second of character brilliance. His protective contributions have been additionally pivotal in keeping Fiorentina’s structure.
Rolando Mandragora
Mandragora’s composed penalty conversion established his intellectual fortitude. His presence in midfield changed into critical in dictating the pace of the recreation.
David De Gea
De Gea’s overdue saves have been instrumental in securing the victory. His enjoy and shot-preventing capacity have been on complete display, incomes him the match’s standout performer.
Implications for the Return Leg
With a 2-1 advantage, Fiorentina held a moderate aspect going into the second one leg at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. A draw or a slim victory might suffice to see them through to the semi-finals. However, Celje’s resilience and attacking prowess suggest that Fiorentina can’t have enough money to be complacent.
Has Fiorentina ever received Serie A?
Yes, ACF Fiorentina has received Serie A a couple of instances in its history. As of now, Fiorentina has claimed the Italian top-tier football league identify instances:
1955–56 Serie A: Fiorentina received their first Serie A identity in the 1955-56 season, completing the league with a dominant overall performance that positioned them in advance of their rivals.
1968–69 Serie A: The 2d league identity got here extra than a decade later in the 1968–69 season, in which Fiorentina confirmed their energy through competing atop the league as soon as again.
Fiorentina players
Goalkeepers
Pietro Terracciano – A veteran presence in purpose, Terracciano has been with Fiorentina due to the fact 2019 and remains a dependable choice among the posts.
David de Gea – The Spanish goalkeeper joined Fiorentina in August 2024 on a loose switch after leaving Manchester United. His enjoy provides intensity to the goalkeeper function.
Tommaso Martinelli – A fabricated from Fiorentina’s teens academy, Martinelli has made appearances for the senior team and is taken into consideration a promising skills for the destiny.
Defenders
Dodô – The Brazilian right-returned has been with Fiorentina due to the fact 2022, offering tempo and attacking guide down the flank.
Marin Pongračić – Signed from Lecce in July 2024 for €15 million, Pongračić bolsters Fiorentina’s important protection.
Luca Ranieri – A flexible defender able to gambling each center-returned and left-returned, Ranieri has been with Fiorentina due to the fact 2018 and is understood for his management at the field.
Pablo Marí – Joined Fiorentina in January 2025 from Monza for €1.8 million, Marí brings enjoy to the protective line.
Matías Moreno – A younger Argentine center-returned signed from Belgrano in August 2024 for €5 million, Moreno is regarded as a destiny prospect for the club.
Fabiano Parisi – Acquired from Empoli in 2023 for €10 million, Parisi gives versatility as a left-returned and left midfielder.
Niccolò Fortini – A fabricated from Fiorentina’s teens academy, Fortini is a left-returned who has made appearances for the senior team.
Leonardo Baroncelli – Another teens academy graduate, Baroncelli is a important defender who’s taken into consideration a promising skills for the destiny.
Midfielders
Rolando Mandragora – A key discern in Fiorentina’s midfield, Mandragora has been with the membership when you consider that 2022 and is understood for his protecting talents and passing range.
Edoardo Bove – Joined Fiorentina on mortgage from Roma in August 2024, Bove provides intensity to the midfield together along with his field-to-field gambling style.
Robin Gosens – Acquired on mortgage from Union Berlin in August 2024, Gosens gives versatility as a left midfielder and left-back.
Andrea Colpani – Signed on mortgage from Monza in July 2024, Colpani brings creativity to the midfield.
Amir Richardson – Joined Fiorentina in August 2024 from Reims for €9 million, Richardson is a important midfielder recognized for his strength and paintings rate.
Cher Ndour – Signed from Paris Saint-Germain in February 2025 for €5 million, Ndour is a younger midfielder with excessive potential.
Yacine Adli – Acquired on mortgage from Milan in August 2024, Adli provides aptitude and creativity to Fiorentina’s midfield.
Danilo Cataldi – Joined on mortgage from Lazio in August 2024, Cataldi is a deep-mendacity midfielder recognized for his passing accuracy.
Nicolò Fagioli – Signed on mortgage from Juventus in February 2025, Fagioli is a skilled midfielder with an eye fixed for goal.
Michael Folorunsho – Acquired on mortgage from Napoli in January 2025, Folorunsho provides intensity to the midfield together along with his field-to-field gambling style.
Jonas Harder – A made from Fiorentina’s teenagers academy, Harder is a important midfielder who’s taken into consideration a promising skills for the future.
Forwards
Lucas Beltrán – Signed from River Plate in 2023 for €12 million, Beltrán has been a steady goal scorer for Fiorentina.
Moise Kean – Joined Fiorentina from Juventus in July 2024 for €13 million, Kean brings tempo and electricity to the ahead line.
Albert Guðmundsson – Acquired on mortgage from Genoa in August 2024, Guðmundsson gives versatility as a ahead and winger.
Nicolò Zaniolo – Returned to Fiorentina on mortgage from Galatasaray in February 2025, Zaniolo is a dynamic ahead with a sturdy bodily presence.
Departures
Nikola Milenković – Transferred to Juventus for €14.3 million in the summertime season of 2024.
Nicolás González – Sold to Juventus for €8 million in the summertime season of 2024.
Sofyan Amrabat – Transferred to Fenerbahçe in the summertime season of 2024.
Lucas Martínez Quarta – Sold to River Plate for €7 million in January 2025.
Cristiano Biraghi – Loaned to Torino in January 2025.
Jonathan Ikoné – Loaned to Como in January 2025.
Riccardo Sottil – Loaned to Milan in January 2025.
Upcoming Fixtures
Serie A
April 20, 2025: Cagliari vs Fiorentina
Fiorentina will purpose to preserve their sturdy league match with an away match towards Cagliari.
April 27, 2025: Fiorentina vs Empoli
The team will appearance to capitalize on domestic gain on this Tuscan derby.
May 4, 2025: Roma vs Fiorentina
A difficult away fixture towards Roma awaits Fiorentina.
May 11, 2025: Venezia vs Fiorentina
Fiorentina will searching for to stable 3 factors on this away encounter.
May 18, 2025: Fiorentina vs Bologna
The final domestic match of the season towards Bologna.
May 25, 2025: Udinese vs Fiorentina
The season concludes with an away match towards Udinese.
UEFA Conference League
April 17, 2025: Fiorentina vs NK Celje (Quarter-final Second Leg)
Fiorentina will purpose to shield their 2–1 gain from the primary leg and stable a semi-final spot.
Recent Results
Serie A
April 6, 2025: AC Milan 2–2 Fiorentina
Fiorentina secured a precious factor at San Siro. Moise Kean scored his seventeenth goal of the season, and a personal goal via the means of Milan’s Malick Thiaw contributed to the draw. Despite goals being disallowed, Fiorentina maintained their fourth-vicinity function in the league.
April 13, 2025: Fiorentina 2–0 Parma
The team brought a strong overall performance at domestic, with goals from Rolando Mandragora and Luca Ranieri securing the victory. David de Gea made essential saves, together with a penalty stop, to maintain the smooth sheet.
UEFA Conference League
April 10, 2025: NK Celje 1–2 Fiorentina (Quarter-final First Leg)
Fiorentina took a full-size step closer to the semi-finals with an away win. Luca Ranieri opened the scoring, and Mandragora converted a penalty. Celje equalized via a penalty via the means of Logan Delaurier-Chaubet, however Fiorentina regained the lead quickly after. David de Gea’s overdue saves have been pivotal in securing the win.
In summary
Fiorentina’s 2-1 victory over Celje is a testimony to their tactical field and personal brilliance. With the go back leg at the horizon, the team will aim to construct in this overall performance and preserve their pursuit of European glory.
FAQs
How did David De Gea make contributions to the match?
David De Gea made numerous essential saves, mainly in the final minutes, to stable the victory for Fiorentina.
What is the importance of this win for Fiorentina?
The win offers Fiorentina a sturdy gain in the quarter-final tie and bolsters their possibilities of advancing to the semifinals of the UEFA Conference League.
When is the go back leg towards Celje?
The go back leg is scheduled for April 17, 2025, at Fiorentina’s domestic ground, the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
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