Final result: Fiorentina – Monza 2-2
FLORENTINE (by Dimitri Conti)
Terracciano 5.5 – This summer he could have gone to Monza, he faces them as a starter. Immediately beaten by Djuric and Maldini, not too reactive but at least on the latter he avoids the hat-trick.
Comacchio 6 – Palladino does not skimp on his faith in this young product of the Viola youth sector, and his faith is reciprocated by an overall solid performance.
From 79′ Martinez Quarta sv.
Ranieri 5.5 – He is not entirely comfortable in the role of central player of the three at the back, in the action of Djuric’s goal you can see his lack of inclination. He partly makes up for it by passing it to Kean.
Biraghi 5 – A new phase of his career as a third centre-back is opening up for him, Djuric perhaps knows the secrets of the trade better and beats him for the lead.
Dodo 5.5 – Very subdued performance in both phases for the entire first half, in the second half he shows signs of awakening. However, it is still not enough.
Cataldi 6 – Having digested the painful farewell to Lazio, it is immediately necessary to take to the field from the beginning. While waiting for the running-in to be over, he shows personality and attention in possession.
From 69′ Adli 6.5 – He enters with a slow and measured pace and manner, but he will pull the ball out of his hat, or rather from the corner flag, for Gosens’ 2-2.
Mandrake 5 – He should bring a greater load of experience in a completely rebuilt midfield, it won’t be like that. Not very incisive both in setting up and as a filter.
From 58′ Ox 5.5 – He suffers two tunnels in the space of a few moments, shortly after his entrance: not the best calling card. Better on the continuation of the meeting.
Gosens 7 – Arrived physically only yesterday, he makes his return to Italian football as a starter. Good crosses, but he seems congested. Not enough to not score a heavy goal.
Colpani 5 – He is among those leaving for such an important challenge, as a fresh and great ex. Of the player seen in Monza, for now, he is only a distant relative.
From 69′ Icon 6 – Too often he has struggled to make an impact, even as a substitute, but this is not the occasion. Decent flashes with the ball at his feet, he is only lacking in finishing
Beltran 5 – Some thought he had disappeared, but here he is again from the 1st minute and together with Kean. He tries to move around in search of spaces, but too often he will be imprecise.
From 58′ Kouame 6 – Among the substitutes thrown in by Palladino, he is the best for spirit, tenacity and application. However, he will be not very dangerous in the final meters.
Kean 6.5 – Reference of this new Fiorentina, he keeps the challenge open by scoring with a robbery at the end of the first half. A fast of 519 days in Serie A has been interrupted.
Raffaele Palladino 5.5 – Chasing his first win in the league and the season, he also has the chance to be missed by Monza, who he has just left. His Fiorentina gives better sensations than in the last outings, but finds himself beaten on the first two shots on goal by Monza. Kean avoids a nightmare interval, in the second half he tries to make corrections and finds the equalizer thanks to a corner, when all seemed lost. He has a lot of work to do.
MONZA (by Antonino Sergi)
Turati 7 – There was no better way to introduce himself to his new fans, the victory does not arrive but he makes a splendid save on Kean that is practically worth a goal. Gosens’ trajectory is uncatchable.
Izzo 6 – For more than an hour of play he keeps his usual impetuosity at bay, then in the final part he becomes more aggressive and gets a yellow card. Beltran creates few problems for him in his area.
Pablo Mari 6.5 – It was one of the best duels of the day, Kean never gives up. Always marking the Fiorentina striker, he also denies him a goal by saving before Turati. Excellent performance by the former Arsenal player.
Carbons 6 – He won the ballot with Caldirola after the first two games on the bench, the former Cagliari player played a good game and won the close duel with his former teammate Colpani. From 79′ Caldirola sv.
Peter Pereira 6.5 – He immediately takes center stage, in a fairly blocked game he provides the right play to unlock it with the assist for Djuric’s goal that opens the game. He guards his area of the field well. From 79′ D’Ambrosio sv.
Bond 6.5 – The market rumors did not distract him, linked to Milan before the market closed and the Frenchman justifies the Rossoneri’s courtship. The man everywhere in the Monza midfield, dynamism and competitive spirit at the service of the team.
Pessina 6 – Ordinary administration in the middle of the field for the captain, forced however to pull back his leg at times due to the yellow card received in the first half. He sacrifices himself on the long dribble of Fiorentina.
Kyriakopoulos 6.5 – He doesn’t have an easy customer to deal with like Dodò but he manages to get the measure of the Brazilian, then he does everything well on Maldini’s goal also providing the winning assist.
Maldini 7 – The right is hot, very hot indeed for the Monza number four. At the first attempt he hits the corner, at the second the post. Good at moving in the three-quarter line, he also sacrifices himself in the defensive phase. Quality and sacrifice. From 71′ Vignato 6 – He tries his usual comeback move as he is accustoming us to at the start of this championship.
Goats 6 – Half a point more for the play in the narrow with Kyriakopoulos who paves the way for Monza to double their lead, for the rest he fails to find his usual spark between the lines. From 63′ Gagliardini 5 – At the key moment of the match, Gosens’ marking was completely lost and he scored the equaliser.
Djuric 7 – He plays as a pivot, he causes Ranieri problems with his height and his physicality. He always plays with his back to the goal, but when he has the chance he doesn’t forgive the only shot on goal. Glacial. From 63′ Petagna 5.5 – He fails to do the same job as Djuric in keeping Monza up, losing a few too many balls.
Alessandro Nesta 6.5 – He has to postpone the appointment with the first victory again, another draw arrives but it brings with it different convictions compared to the one with Empoli. Monza is there, they have fixed a few things and they are back to being mean in front. They pay for the great pressure from Fiorentina in the final.