Fiorentina made it to their second cup final of the season as they got the better of FC Basel in the Europa Conference League semi-final. The dramatic tie featured plenty of goals in both legs, but the real drama came in the second leg.
Fiorentina took the lead in Switzerland but were soon pegged back. Having taken the tie to extra-time, an incredibly late goal from Antonin Barak meant that Fiorentina will play against West Ham United in the final in Prague.
Fiorentina get the start they need
It was crucial for Fiorentina that they went in at half-time with the lead on the night so that they could play their own game in the second half without feeling as if they are chasing the tie and becoming desperate.
Nicolas Gonzalez provided that gift with a superb headed goal with around 10 minutes of the first half left to play. He found space in the box to nod in a corner and continue his impressive ability to score headed goals.
Despite getting part of the job done, Fiorentina then undid that work by conceding 10 minutes into the second half. The match-winner from the first leg, Zeki Amdouni netted again and Basel had their advantage back. A ball over the top was allowed to bounce and Amdouni got past a weak challenge before finishing superbly into the bottom corner.
With just under 20 minutes left to play, Gonzalez dragged his Fiorentina side level again. The ball dropped favourably in the box and the Argentine fired it into the bottom corner. Vincenzo Italiano’s team just needed one more goal to ensure that they can play in two cup finals this season.
Extra-time drama in Switzerland
La Viola weren’t able to harness the momentum from that second Gonzalez goal to get ahead in the 90 minutes so they were taken to extra time in Switzerland.
There was a major stoppage with less than 10 minutes of extra time left to play as medical personnel needed to attend to a Fiorentina fan in the stands. There was eight minutes of stoppages but play did then resume.
After the lengthy stoppage, there was incredibly late drama with Antonin Barak netting a winner in the 129th minute for his side. He sparked wild celebration that will carry on long into the night.
