Fiorentina 2-1 Empoli: Mandragora magic fires up Viola
The Viola were preparing for the Conference League semi-final against Real Betis, but Moise Kean was again ruled out due to a personal matter after missing the midweek win at Cagliari, with Andrea Colpani still injured and Dodo recovering from surgery for appendicitis. Empoli went out of the Coppa Italia on Thursday, losing the semi-final 5-1 on aggregate to Bologna. Liberato Cacace was suspended, with Christian Kouame, Youssef Maleh, Nicolas Haas, Saba Sazonov, Pietro Pellegri and Szymon Zurkowski long-term absentees.
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See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
David De Gea had his gloves stung by a Giuseppe Pezzella cross-shot and Empoli couldn't quite bundle the rebound over the line.
Moments later, Fiorentina took the lead instead with a well-worked passing move, Albert Gudmundsson allowing Yacine Adli to spring the offside trap and beat the on-rushing Devis Vasquez.
FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 27: Jacine Adli of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Empoli at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 27, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by)
Luca Ranieri robbed Ola Solbakken in the penalty area and his roll across for the Lucas Beltran tap-in was crucially intercepted by the returning Ardian Ismajli.
The second goal was spectacular, as Rolando Mandragora controlled the Adli cross with his right foot from 10 yards and fired in a wonderful bicycle kick with his left.
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Empoli had the ball in the net on the stroke of half-time with Jacopo Fazzini's header, but only after Solbakken had failed to stop it rolling out of play for the assist.
Ranieri was booked and will be suspended when Fiorentina face Roma next week in a showdown for European places.
Empoli got back into the game when it was rolled across from the right by Goglichidze, Sebastiano Esposito held off a defender to let it run through and Fazzini swept home first-time from 12 yards.
Devis Vasquez flew for a great one-handed save on the Gudmundsson curler and Robin Gosens hit the side-netting on a Nicolò Zaniolo assist.
Empoli threw everything at Fiorentina in the final minutes, De Gea's gloves stung by a Viktor Kovalenko scorcher.
Fiorentina 2-1 Empoli
Adli 7 (F), Mandragora 26 (F), Fazzini 57 (E)
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