Goals from Arthur Cabral and Nico Gonzalez helped Fiorentina seal a 2-0 win over Cremonese in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final at the Stadio Zini.
The Tuscans secured their ninth consecutive victory across all competitions, getting the edge over Cremonese ahead of the second leg that will be played in Florence in three weeks.
The game was suspended immediately after kick-off when Fiorentina fans threw firecrackers on the pitch, close to their goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano, but it was resumed after barely two minutes. The same happened at the beginning of the second half, this time due to Cremonese fans.
Jonathan Ikoné had the first chance at the Stadio Zini: the Frenchman dribbled past two Cremonese defenders, did a one-two pass with Antonin Barak, but the resulting shot was poor and saved by Mouhamadou Sarr, who had surprisingly started over Marco Carnesecchi between the sticks for Cremonese.
Cabral’s first shot of the game from the edge of the box was inches wide, but the Brazilian forward broke the deadlock a few minutes later, finding the net with a perfect header from a right-footed cross from Cristiano Biraghi.
The Tuscans’ captain could have made it two shortly afterwards but sent a shot from inside the box over the crossbar.
Cremonese had a different approach in the second half. Cristian Buonaiuto and Cyriel Dessers were introduced for Michele Castagnelli and Frank Tsadjout, while Davide Ballardini swapped system going for a four-man defence and a more offensive 4-3-3.
The hosts were more aggressive and Dessers immediately had a chance to equalise, but his shot was saved by Pietro Terracciano.
The Fiorentina keeper took centre stage again later on when Dessers once again inspired Cremonese’s counter-attack. This time Buonaiuto first missed the shot and then hit the ball, but Terracciano was close to him and managed to avoid the equaliser.
Fiorentina doubled their lead from the spot. Sarr made a double save, first on Cabral and then Ikoné, Emanuel Aiwu apparently performed a superb goal-line clearance but touched the ball with his hand. It was spotted thanks to a VAR check which led to a penalty kick for the Tuscans and a red card for the 22-year-old. Nico Gonzalez converted from the spot by sending Sarr the wrong way.
The second leg will be played at the Stadio Franchi in Florence on April 27.
Player statistic
| 20' |  |
Arthur Cabral (Assist: Cristiano Biraghi) | ||
| 38' |  |
Lucas Martínez Quarta |
| Emanuel Aiwu |  |
73' | ||
| 75' |  |
Nico González |
Match statistic
