The Betis leaves Fiorentina alive
MADRID, 1 (EUROPA PRESS)
Real Betis took a 2-1 advantage over Fiorentina in search of the Conference League final, although they missed a better lead in the first leg of the semifinals held on Thursday at a decorated Benito Villamarín to see their team for the first time in these competitions.
Manuel Pellegrini’s team remained faithful to their great form and to the excitement of their fans in the club’s first continental semifinal. The party was not complete due to Luca Ranieri’s goal 20 minutes from the end, which left the Italians much more alive than it seemed for most of the match.
Six minutes in, Abde’s 1-0, with suspense to see if his shot had crossed the line after hitting the crossbar, intensified the great atmosphere at the Villamarín. The Italian team threatened with danger through Rolando Mandragora, who formed a good partnership with Robin Gosens, but Betis quickly took control.
Isco took charge and the home team had good moments, although Antony missed a counterattack. Pellegrini’s team deserved the second goal, with another clear chance where Marc Bartra was denied. Fiorentina survived until halftime, and in the second half, Moise Kean returned.
The Italian forward put fear into the hearts of the Verdiblanca fans and partly into a Betis defense with potential danger behind them. Raffaele Palladino’s team improved significantly, but it was their goalkeeper, Spanish David de Gea, who kept them in the game. De Gea saved a shot from Bartra after a cross from Isco but couldn’t prevent Antony’s strike and the 2-0 in the 60th minute.
The atmosphere nearly reached ecstasy at the Villamarín and Betis saw themselves in the final prematurely, coming close to a third goal by Fornals. Despite the good entrance of Lo Celso, Pellegrini’s team allowed the ‘Fiore’ to grow. Gosens had a chance, the best of the visitors, and made up for his missed opportunities by setting up Ranieri for the 2-1.
Betis, who appealed for a penalty on Lo Celso, ended the semifinal with a bittersweet feeling, while Chelsea on the other side of the draw, smiled. The English team fulfilled their favoritism by beating Djurgarden 4-1 to secure a spot in the final on May 28 at the Stadion Miejski in Poland.
TECHNICAL SHEET.
– RESULT: REAL BETIS 2 – FIORENTINA 1 (1-0 at halftime).
LINEUPS:
REAL BETIS: Vieites; Ruibal, Bartra, Natan, Perraud; Cardoso, Fornals (Altimira, min.78), Isco, Antony, Abde (Lo Celso, min.62), and Bakambu.
FIORENTINA: De Gea; Comuzzo, Ranieri, Pongracic, Parisi (Folorunsho, min.68), Fagioli (Richardson, min.68), Mandragora, Cataldi (Adli, min.29), Gosens, Gudmunsson (Zaniolo, min.85), and Beltrán (Kean, halftime).
GOALS:
1 – 0, min.6, Abde.
2 – 0, min.64, Antony.
2 – 1, min.73, Ranieri.
REFEREE: Michael Oliver (ENG). Booked Bakambu (min.6) and Perraud (min.73) for Betis. Parisi (min.64), Folorunsho (min.73), Adli (min.84), and Mandragora (min.95) for Fiorentina.
STADIUM: Benito Villamarín.
FUENTE