Fiorentina 1-1 Brescia: Highlights

Pre-match

Fiorentina boss Giuseppe Iachini changed shape to a 4-3-3, allowing Franck Ribery to slot in on the left wing. Martín Cáceres took over at rightback and Federico Ceccherini came into central defense, but it was otherwise as expected. For Brescia, manager Diego López had to shuffle his defense significantly, so Aleš Matějů, Alessandro Semprini, and 17-year-old Andrea Papetti all got start, along with Simon Skrabb in attack.

The Stadio Artemio Franchi, completely empty, was surreal as it could be.

First half

The visitors opened the scoring when Cáceres switched off and let Daniele Dessena get goalside of him after a terrible Germán Pezzella pass gave Alfredo Donnarumma the ball on the edge of the box.

All Cáceres could do was foul, and Donnarumma duly slotted home the spot kick before peeling off to celebrate with injured teammate Dimitri Bisoli’s shirt.

After some absolute magic from Ribery—dancing through 4 defenders in the box and sending Alessandro Sabelli to the stands for a hot dog—resulted in a corner, Erick Pulgar bombed one in at the back post and Pezzella flung himself at it, bulleting the ball past a helpless Jesse Joronen to pull the hosts level.

Second half

Fiorentina got the ball in the net via Ribery after a bit of a scramble but it was ruled out for an offside on Dušan Vlahović in the buildup.

Vlahović was the victim of a disallowed goal moments later after turning home a Federico Chiesa cross when the replay showed that the ball edged just over the end line.

Franck somehow failed to score after rounding Joronen.

Cáceres was sent off for this totally needless challenge, and for shouting blasphemy (because Italy is the gift that never stops giving). Iachini also got his marching orders in the aftermath.

Fede had a chance to shoot at an open goal after some dogged pressing but only hit the side netting, which is about how his day went.

Bart made this save at the death to preserve the point.

But at least Chiesa nutmegged Semprini into the land of dust and whispers.

Full time

Goals: Pezzella 29’ (ass. Pulgar), Donnarumma PK 17’

Cards: Cáceres 15’ and 70’ (sent off), Ceccherini 22’, Dalbert 32’, Iachini red card 71’, Chiesa 87’, Papetti 61’, Semprini 75’, Torregrossa 86’