Fiorentina will take a narrow 3-2 lead to Belgium next week as the Italian side left it late to overcome 10-man Club Brugge in a thrilling UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final first leg.
M’Bala Nzola was the late hero for Fiorentina, who are looking to make back-to-back Conference League finals, after first-half goals from Riccardo Sottil and Andrea Belotti had been cancelled out.
I Viola made a fast start to the game, taking the lead after just five minutes thanks to a sensational curling Sottil strike. However, they were quickly pegged back as just over 10 minutes later captain Cristiano Biraghi was penalised for handball in the box which, after a lengthy VAR check, was deemed enough to be a penalty.
Opposing captain Hans Vanaken cooly dispatched from the spot to bring the Belgians level. Heavy downpours disrupted much of the rest of the first-half action, but Fiorentina’s spirits were lifted late on as Belotti provided an instinctive turn and finish to restore the lead and end his 15-game goalless streak.
With the rain clearing over the break Fiorentina looked to make an equally quick start to the second period but were regularly denied by Nordin Jackers in the Club Brugge goal. As the second half intensified a moment of madness saw Raphael Onyedika receive two yellow cards in just two minutes forcing the visitors to play the final 30 minutes with only 10 men.
However, agony soon became ecstasy for Club Brugge who were level just minutes later as Igor Thiago latched onto a long hopeful ball before applying a deft finish to score his 29th goal of the campaign.
Fiorentina threw everything at Club Brugge for the remainder of the game and their persistence was eventually rewarded as substitute Nzola reacted quickest after hitting the post to tap the ball into an empty net in stoppage time.
The Belgians will feel hard done by after a heroic effort but will go into next week’s game knowing this tie is far from over. On the other hand, Fiorentina will be relieved to have a lead to cling onto in Belgium next Wednesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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