Pre-match

For Rocco Commisso’s birthday, he got a fairly similar XI to what he saw against Benevento a few days ago. Martín Cáceres, Erick Pulgar, and Borja Valero were the only outfield changes for Cesare Prandelli. Udinese boss Luca Gotti, on the other hand, switched up his shape to a 4-3-3 and rotated his side heavily.

First half

Second half

Extra time

Just minutes after making his season debut, Tòfol Montiel blazed a low, first-time shot into the bottom corner after some excellent work from Patrick Cutrone put him in space at the top of the box. For those keeping track at home, this is now the second year running that Montiel’s rescued Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia.

Full time

Goals: Montiel 112’ (ass. Cutrone)

Cards: Samir 59’, Makengo 88’, Jajalo 97’; Pulgar 34’, Cáceres 56’, Biraghi 90’+2

What’s next

While the win is nice, Fiorentina are now nice and tired out ahead of their league clash at AC Milan on Sunday. Their reward for winning here is to take on Inter Milan at the San Siro in January. That’ll make 5 matches in 14 days (vs Bologna 1/3, at Lazio 1/6, vs Cagliari 1/10, at Inter 1/13, at Napoli 1/17), which is simply ridiculous and another indication that Serie A is broken. Udinese, meanwhile, will bow out of the Coppa and refocus on the league.