Final result: Fiorentina-The New Saints 2-0
The New Saints report cards
Roberts 7 – Immediately a nice reflection on Kouame after 10 minutes. He is well positioned at the near post on Beltran’s attempt. He can’t do anything about the goals conceded. On Ikoné he does a miracle, he also saves on Kean who shoots at him with an empty net.
Daniels 6 – He gives little to crosses and one-on-ones to Sottil. Good and punctual at chasing, positioning and containing.
Davies 6.5 – It is above all he who contains Kouame in the first half, as well as Beltran’s attempts to insert. Well done to his teammates in holding on to the fort for as long as he can.
Bodenham 6.5 – He blocks some attempts by the Viola from outside, he also pays attention to Beltran’s attempts, he dominates all the aerial balls. TNS had to play the game of their lives tonight, they did it.
Redmond 6.5 – Stoic performance from the number 10 who plays full-back. After the first one-on-ones with Ikone, it was thought that the Welshman would dream of the purple winger at night, but perhaps the opposite will happen given how tignomous and disciplined he was in hindering him. It’s true that the goal comes from another descent by Ikoné himself, but in fact he only allows him to pass it behind, without letting him in.
From 83′ Brobbel sv
Clark 6 – In addition to the running and sacrifice that all TNS puts into it, he is the one who puts in a bit of reasoning and quality. His shot after sixty seconds scares the Viola.
From the 67th minute McManus 6 – Since his entry TNS tries something more on the attacking midfield, he at least tries not to throw the ball away. Then he finds the first shot on goal, but Terracciano is attentive.
Smith 6 – Infinite running and total field coverage help the team’s defensive phase.
Daniel Williams 6 – Super sacrifice and aptitude in closing and doubling every forward of the Viola. He gets himself booked right on one of the diagonals to stop a restart by Richardson. He was there to lose the tackle with Adli, who then broke the deadlock.
Bradley 6 – More of an added full-back than an attacking winger, he adapts to a role that is not his for the cause by running up and down. When Dodò enters he shows some suffering and Harrison changes him, exhausted.
From 61′ Marshall 5.5 – He comes in to bring new life to the running on the flanks to counter the fresh Dodò: he does so in alternating phases.
Wilson 6 – Ready-go immediately creates panic in the Fiorentina area with a penetration on the left. Then he has a hard time with the few balls that arrive, but he always pounces on them with great heart.
From 83′ Cieslewicz sv
Holden 6 – Starting from 20 meters in your own half every time is not easy. Continuous folding done exclusively to buffer.
Coach Craig Harrison 6 – The plan is clear and it was difficult to expect a different one: close everything, start again if possible, but also not. He came to Florence to aim for a historic 0-0 draw in Italy, a plan that worked until Adli’s goal. Considering the history of the club he coaches, it wasn’t even right to ask him for anything more than that.