Fiorentina launched their UEFA Conference League campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory against Czech team Sigma at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Despite dominating the match, La Viola struggled to extend their lead until late in the game.
The Italian side began asserting pressure early on, with Pablo Mari and Edin Dzeko narrowly missing headers around the ten-minute mark. As Fiorentina intensified their attacks, Roberto Piccoli broke the deadlock, scoring his debut goal for the club following an assist from Ndour.
Piccoli, a recent summer acquisition from Cagliari, demonstrated his potential with a well-executed finish. Fiorentina continued to create chances, with Luca Ranieri hitting the post from distance and Piccoli having another attempt ruled offside before halftime.
Second Half: Fiorentina Pushes for More
The second half mirrored the first, with Fiorentina seeking to extend their lead. Piccoli remained a constant threat, having another good effort blocked. Despite Fiorentina`s dominance, Sigma managed to test goalkeeper David De Gea twice from long range around the hour mark.
As the match progressed, concerns grew about Sigma`s potential to counter-attack. However, the Czech side failed to create any significant opportunities. In the closing moments, Cher Ndour secured the victory for Fiorentina with a second goal.
The match`s intensity was evident when De Gea received a yellow card for time-wasting late in the game, highlighting Fiorentina`s determination to secure the win. While the scoreline suggests a comfortable victory, La Viola faced more resistance than initially anticipated from their Czech opponents.