Fiorentina secured a well-deserved 2-1 win over Cagliari in a closely contested Serie A match. The Viola started poorly, looking creaky at the back against Cagliari’s quick forwards, but eventually found their footing and took the lead through Roberto Piccoli’s calm finish in the 7th minute. Piccoli kept his head amidst the chaos and took a touch before slotting the ball home after a combination between Tommaso Augello and Zito Luvumbo.
However, Cagliari’s deficit didn’t last long, and the visitors lost focus, allowing Fiorentina to claw their way back into the game. Robin Gosens, who had just returned from injury, leveled the score in the 36th minute, finishing a nice move started by Luca Ranieri’s pass. Gosens’ return to the pitch was a boost to Fiorentina, and he played a crucial role in the team’s equalizer.
The second half saw Fiorentina dominate the game, with Albert Guðmundsson and Lucas Beltrán starting to figure out their partnership. The breakthrough came in the 48th minute when Dodô crossed perfectly for Beltrán to leap over Nadir Zortea and loop a header over Elia Caprile and into the net. Beltrán’s goal was a testament to his ability to do a job as the number 9, and Fiorentina’s fans will be hoping he can continue to deliver in the coming games.
Cagliari attempted to respond with a series of high crosses, but Fiorentina’s defense held strong, and the Viola took control of the game. Despite a scary moment when Gaetano Oristanio went down off the ball, Fiorentina earned their win with a performance that was miles ahead of Cagliari across the 90 minutes.
Match Facts
- Goals: Piccoli (7′), Gosens (36′), Beltrán (48′)
- Assists: Mandragora (36′), Dodô (48′)
- Cards: Palomino (65′), Piccoli (80′); Parisi (84′), Zaniolo (90+6′)
Fiorentina’s win narrows the gap between themselves and AS Roma, Lazio, and Juventus, with five games left in Serie A. The Viola’s fans will be hoping that their team can climb to fifth place and secure a spot in the top flight for next season. The team’s next challenge is the Derby dell’Arno against Empoli on Sunday, followed by a Conference League semifinal against Real Betis.
What’s Next
Fiorentina’s busy schedule continues with two games a week for the rest of the season. The team’s focus will be on securing wins in these crucial matches to achieve their goals. As the author puts it, “All gas, no brakes, and hope you have insurance.” With their current form, Fiorentina will be looking to make a strong impression in the remaining games and secure a successful finish to the season.