Conference League, Fiorentina gets unblocked: Sigma Olomouc beaten at 'Franchi'

At least for one evening, Fiorentina put aside its early league crisis to celebrate a victory.

The team coached by Stefano Pioli defeated Sigma Olomouc 2-0 on the first day of the Conference League single group stage. The violets thus returned to winning ways more than a month after the last time, also in the Conference League, in the return leg of the playoff against Polissya last August 28.

Leading the Viola into the lead was a goal scored by Roberto Piccoli on 27′: the former Cagliari man collected the ball served to him by Ndour on the edge, and with a precise conclusion left opposing goalkeeper Koutny no chance. On the wings of enthusiasm, Fiorentina came close three more times within a few minutes to 2-0, but again Piccoli, Ranieri and Ndour, between 30′ and 34′, narrowly missed the goal.

Decidedly slower second half, with Fiorentina managing possession and the Czech league lineup going no further than a venomous conclusion by Kostadinov, repelled by De Gea. Emotions were scarce, the Viola controlled and only close to the final whistle, at 95′, sealed the success with the double signed by Ndour, whose great left-footed shot from the edge of the box collided with the inside post before going into the box.

So it ends 2-0, with the Viola, who after clinching the first three points have five more games ahead of them: Oct. 23 at home to Rapid in Vienna, Nov. 6 at the Mainz ground, Nov. 27 at home against AEK Athens, Dec. 11 again at the ‘Franchi’ against Dynamo Kyiv and Dec. 18 away against Lausanne.