Fiorentina went out of the Europa League with a whimper, losing 2-0 to Sevilla with Josip Ilicic missing a penalty.
The Viola needed a miracle after their 3-0 defeat in Spain, especially missing injured Khouma Babacar, Giuseppe Rossi, Juan Manuel Vargas and Micah Richards. Mario Gomez was surprisingly dropped for Josip Ilicic as a False 9, having scored five goals in his last five Serie A games. Nicolas Pareja was out injured with Beto again not fit to start in goal.
Fiorentina went out of the Europa League with a whimper, losing 2-0 to Sevilla with Josip Ilicic missing a penalty.
The Viola needed a miracle after their 3-0 defeat in Spain, especially missing injured Khouma Babacar, Giuseppe Rossi, Juan Manuel Vargas and Micah Richards. Mario Gomez was surprisingly dropped for Josip Ilicic as a False 9, having scored five goals in his last five Serie A games. Nicolas Pareja was out injured with Beto again not fit to start in goal.
Europa League holders Sevilla were very dangerous early on from a corner, while Mohamed Salah’s shot was charged down in the box. Sergio Rico performed a desperate save from point-blank range on Gonzalo Rodriguez, who got his head to the corner after 16 minutes.
However, Sevilla took the lead and scored an away goal that effectively ended any residual hopes. David Pizarro was booked for his foul on Aleix Vidal and that Ever Banega free kick was curled into the box, taking a few deflections before Carlos Bacca flicked under the bar from point blank range.
The Viola’s heads visibly dropped and they went 2-0 down in a similar situation. Another free kick was knocked down by Coke for Daniel Carrico, who had plenty of time to control and turn in from a couple of yards. Jose Maria Basanta should’ve cut it out, but hit a fresh-air clearance.
Ilicic, Mohamed Salah and Mati Fernandez fired off target, but Coke threatened a third Sevilla goal with his volley just over the bar. On the stroke of half-time, Ilicic turned his free kick just over.
After the restart Mati Fernandez’s free kick was deflected over by bar by Bacca and the Viola were denied even a consolation goal, as Sergio Rico parried a Salah strike and got back up to block Ilicic’s follow-up with his ankle.
Fiorentina were even given a penalty when Pizarro was brought down by Grzegorz Krychowiak, but Ilicic ballooned it well over the bar. That summed up their experience throughout this semi-final, but the reaction of the crowd was odd. They stood up to applaud and cheer sarcastically.
Ilicic completed his nightmare evening by allowing Rico to save when one-on-one, as the goalkeeper stood his ground.
Fiorentina 0-2 Sevilla (0-6 agg)
Scorers: Bacca 22 (S), Daniel Carrico 27 (S)
Fiorentina: Neto; Alonso, Basanta (Pasqual 46), Gonzalo Rodriguez, Savic; Borja Valero (Lazzari 85), Pizarro, Mati Fernandez (Badelj 67); Salah, Ilicic, Joaquin
Sevilla: Rico; Coke, Daniel Carrico, Kolodziejczak, Tremoulinas; Mbia, Krychowiak; Aleix Vidal, Banega (Iborra 55), Vitolo (Reyes 73); Bacca (Gameiro 70)
Ref: Skomina (SVN)
Missed penalty: Ilicic 67 (F)