Raffaele Palladino chopped and changed quite a bit, making 7 changes from the side that faced Bologna on Sunday. The most surprising was perhaps Pietro Terracciano in goal after the club had spoken about Tommaso Martinelli serving as David de Gea’s lieutenant.
The real story was probably the home fans, though. The Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques was packed with 30000 fans hoping to push their team to its first-ever European knockout stage and they created quite an atmosphere.
Fiorentina started out a bit sloppy but settled in after a few minutes. Christian Kouame had a great early chance but fully tripped on the ball in the box instead of shooting. That was a rare foray forward, though, as the Viola were unable to get out, constantly losing the ball; the defenders’ passes were picked off time and again, while the midfielders were caught trying to dribble over and over. The hosts had half a dozen chances presented before they took advantage, with Pietro Comuzzo’s pass intercepted. Kaio Cesar played it to Gustavo Silva, who tapped home from close range. It was all bad. All of it.
If you were expecting that to wake the visitors up, you were disappointed. The team continued losing the ball way too easily over and over—Comuzzo looked particularly uncomfortable trying to pass into midfield as the left centerback—and the midfielders continued to miss passes. Lucas Martinez Quarta delivered the worst pass from a defender in recent memory but Silva stumbled while 1-v-1 and tried to sell it for a penalty, earning a booking. When the whistle finally went, Fiorentina’s players trudged in knowing they’d been utterly outplayed in every phase, failing to register a shot on goal.
Palladino brought on Yacine Adli and Luca Ranieri at the break but the same problems persisted, albeit not quite as obvious as Vitoria sat deeper and focused less on breaking. Fiorentina made that approach easy by remaining miles off the pace; it wasn’t until the 67th minute that the visitors got a shot on goal, and then it was a 1-v-1 that Moise Kean really should’ve buried. Make no mistake, though: the hosts should’ve been up by multiple goals as they carved through a hapless Viola defense, which made Rolando Mandragora’s scrappy equalizer even funnier.
Vitoria seemed slightly stunned but went hunting for the late winner, leaving themselves open on the break, much to Fiorentina’s delight. The visitors withstood a bit of pressure, countered, and then killed the game off neatly enough for the sort of utterly BS away result that good teams always seem to get. It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t even good but it was enough.
[(Inter Miami CF) Strength]: 1. Inter Miami CF currently have 5 points and rank third in the league table. If the team want to secure a place in the next round, they must do their best to earn points in this game. Their determination is beyond doubt.2. The new signing Rodrigo De Paul has played two games for the team so far and provided two assists, with good performance. His joining has significa...
[(Club America) Strength]: 1. In the previous two Leagues Cup matches, Club America managed to equalize despite being behind. In the last Leagues Cup match, they even managed to draw after trailing at half-time and playing with one player less for 63 minutes, demonstrating the team's remarkable resilience.[(Club America) Neutral]: 1. Club America have recently drawn three consecutive matches, and ...
[(Fluminense (RJ)) Strength]: 1. Everaldo Stum scored the only goal in the last game, helping his side take all 3 points and showing his outstanding performances.2. Fluminense (RJ) scored in each of the previous 4 games, revealing a stable offensive end.3. Fluminense (RJ) won 1-0 over Gremio FBPA in the last game, securing a winning streak in domestic matches lately.4. Fluminense (RJ) secured a 2-...
[(Atlanta United FC) Strength]: 1. Atlanta United FC lost two Leagues Cup games and failed to advance. But the team still desire to win in this home game.2. Emmanuel Latte scored a goal in the last game, showing his outstanding form.[(Atlanta United FC) Neutral]: 1. Atlanta United FC scored 9 goals and conceded 13 in the last 5 games, boasting excellent attack but poor defense.2. Both sides have n...
[(Seattle Sounders FC) Strength]: 1. Seattle Sounders FC currently top the group, winning both of their two group matches in the Leagues Cup this season. They have scored nine goals and conceded one goal in two group matches. Seattle Sounders FC are currently in top form and highly motivated.2. Seattle Sounders FC forward Pedro De la Vega performed outstandingly in this Leagues Cup with consistent...
[(Palmeiras) Strength]: 1. Palmeiras are currently trailing in the score, so they will undoubtedly go all out for a comeback in this home match, showing strong determination to win.2. Palmeiras' Jose Lopez scored in the last game, showing commendable performances.3. Palmeiras won the last 2 home games and remained unbeaten in the last four, performing outstandingly at home.4. The AH line is -1.00 ...
[(Orlando City) Strength]: 1. Orlando City are 6th with 4 points in the table. They have to go all out for a win in this game to secure a qualification spot, indicating strong motivation.2. Martin Ojeda scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, helping the team win.3. Orlando City won 3-1 over Atlas in the last game. They received 3 wins and 1 draw in the last 4 games, revealing outstandi...
[(NK Rijeka) Strength]: 1. As the traditional giants in the First Football League (Croatia),\nNK Rijeka were unfortunately eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers by PFC Ludogorets Razgrad. They must now seize the opportunity to secure a spot in the Europa League. Playing at home, they will go all out for a decisive victory to lay a solid foundation for advancing in the second leg.2. NK Ri...
[(Real Salt Lake) Strength]: 1. Real Salt Lake have been in unstable recent form. Thus, they are motivated to win this home game.2. Braian Ojeda scored a brace in the last game, helping the team once take the lead.3. Real Salt Lake scored 7 goals in the last 5 games, revealing commendable offense.[(Real Salt Lake) Weakness]: 1. Real Salt Lake drew 2-2 with Atletico San Luis in the last game at hom...
[(Lech Poznan) Strength]: 1. Lech Poznan striker Mikael Ishak scored a goal in the last league match, sealing the victory for the team. He has scored in five consecutive games recently and is the most reliable scorer in the team.2. Lech Poznan won over Gornik Zabrze 2-1 in the last league home match. They have won 4 official games in a row, with hot form.3. Lech Poznan have a powerful offensive fo...
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