Fiorentina Secures 4-2 Victory Over Sassuolo with Late Goals
Franco Mastantuono’s decisive 79th-minute goal, followed by Valdepenas’ stoppage time strike, propelled Fiorentina to a thrilling 4-2 victory against Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium. This game proved particularly significant for Fiorentina, who faced a tough challenge despite Sassuolo star Armand Laurienté netting two goals.
Entering the match, Sassuolo sat in 14th place with eight points, following a disappointing 6-2 home loss to Lazio on Tuesday. Coach Alberto Aquilani managed a roster with the absence of suspended Kristian Thorstvedt and long-term injuries to Koné and Leysen, although Jay Idzes returned to the lineup. Fiorentina, on the other hand, lingered just above the Serie A relegation zone with five points, following a 2-2 draw against Atalanta earlier in the week. Coach Paolo Vanoli remained without the services of Marin Pongračić and Parisi.
Fiorentina dominated early possession, with Mastantuono missing an early chance and Stefano Turati saving a header from Mateo Pellegrino. However, Sassuolo struck first against the flow of play in the 25th minute when Sebastiano Esposito assisted Laurienté, who delivered a composed low shot into the bottom-left corner.
Mastantuono threatened to equalize with a free kick that curved just past the top corner as Fiorentina continued to press. The half ended on a high for the visitors, who leveled the score in first-half stoppage time. Alieu Njie set up Pellegrino inside the box, and the striker cut in before finding the bottom-left corner.
Fiorentina Turns the Tide in Second Half
Fiorentina quickly took control after the break, with Njie putting them ahead just five minutes in from a Marco Brescianini pass, shooting low into the bottom-right corner from outside the area. Sassuolo, however, responded on the hour when Laurienté scored his second of the match, expertly finishing Nemanja Matić’s cross into the top-right corner, despite a VAR check for potential handball.
As both teams made substitutions, Fiorentina’s strategy paid off swiftly. Pote passed to Mastantuono, who skillfully controlled the ball and sent a left-footed shot from the edge of the box into the bottom-left corner in the 79th minute. Fiorentina’s offense remained energetic, with Beto missing an opportunity from distance as Sassuolo struggled to find a clear chance to equalize.
In the dying moments of the match, Valdepenas sealed Fiorentina’s victory with a goal in injury time, allowing the team to claim a vital win.
Match Summary: Sassuolo 2-4 Fiorentina
Goals: Laurienté 25, 65 (S), Pellegrino 45+2, Njie 50, Mastantuono 79 (F), Valdepenas 90+3 (F)
