Cup Thursday rewards Fiorentina and fails Roma. External draw for Atalanta
First leg of Europe and Conference League semifinals
Only one of the three Italian teams engaged in Europe on Thursday evening returned to the locker room with a success on file: it was Fiorentina, which in the Conference League semifinal first leg played at the 'Franchi' against Club Brugge è was able to impose itself 3-2. In the Europa League, meanwhile, Atalanta drew 1-1 in Marseille while Roma sank at home to Bayer Leverkusen: 0-2.
Conference League: Fiorentina-Club Brugge 3-2, Aston Villa-Olympiakos 2-4
The match between Fiorentina and Club Brugge seemed to start in the best way for the violets, immediately leading with Sottil on 5'. The equalizing goal came forò not long after, at 17', with Vanaken on a penalty kick, but Belotti restored the distance at 37', returning to score after almost three months since the last time.
In the second half, the Nerazzurri from Flanders were left in ten at 61' for the second yellow given to Onyedika, but still managed to equalize at minute 63 with Igor Thiago. When everything foreshadowed an even-keven finish came M'Bala Nzola's paw, who at 91', three minutes after he entered the field in place of Belotti, pierced the goal defended by Jackers and gave an important base, score-wise, on which to restart in seven days in Belgium.
In the other conference semifinal, Olympiakos beat Aston Villa 4-2 on the road (hat-trick by El Kaabi and Hezze for the Greeks, Watkins and Diaby for the Villans, who also missed a penalty with Douglas Luiz).
Europa League: Marseille-Atalanta 1-1, Roma Bayer Leverkusen 0-2
In the Europa League can sketch a smile at Atalanta, which, however, fails to build another feat, after the one at Anfield in the previous round, despite the lead sealed at 11'11' by Gianluca Scamacca. The hosts’ equalizer came just nine minutes later through Chancel Mbemba and despite the efforts of both the result did not change until the triple whistle. Return to Bergamo next Thursday.
At the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, the Giallorossi did not take advantage of a good start against the newly launched German champions, who sank at the first mistake: on 28'in fact, Wirtz collected the ball that Grimaldo found on an outsized pass from Karsdorp and beat Svilar. The match è fought (and at times very nervous), Andrich closed it out at 73'. Big Roma regret at 94': Abraham from two steps does not score, it ends 2-0 for the Germans and in seven days it will need something really special to reach what would be the third consecutive European final.
