Fiorentina were humiliated 3-0 by Europa League holders Sevilla, paying the price for huge mistakes in defence and attack.
The Spaniards were the reigning holders and had won all six of their European home ties this season, but the Viola were unbeaten in 12 continental away fixtures. Khouma Babacar and Giuseppe Rossi were out injured, so Vincenzo Montella adopted a 4-3-3 system. Coach Unai Emery is very familiar with Joaquin, who was in his squad at Valencia, but missed Nicolas Pareja and goalkeeper Beto.
Fiorentina were humiliated 3-0 by Europa League holders Sevilla, paying the price for huge mistakes in defence and attack.
The Spaniards were the reigning holders and had won all six of their European home ties this season, but the Viola were unbeaten in 12 continental away fixtures. Khouma Babacar and Giuseppe Rossi were out injured, so Vincenzo Montella adopted a 4-3-3 system. Coach Unai Emery is very familiar with Joaquin, who was in his squad at Valencia, but missed Nicolas Pareja and goalkeeper Beto.
There were 30 fewer Fiorentina fans than expected in the stadium, as a fire at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport saw several flights cancelled – including the one taking a group of supporters to Seville.
Fiorentina had a great chance after five minutes, but Mario Gomez blasted just over the bar after a fine Joaquin through ball. Carlos Bacca fired straight at Norberto Neto, but had an important hand in the opener.
Sevilla were allowed a series of passes from the left in the box until Aleix Vidal drilled low from the edge of the penalty area. Marcos Alonso was late getting across and served only to block Neto’s view.
Moments later Fiorentina missed an astonishing chance, as Mati Fernandez somehow side-footed over the bar from six yards!
Mati Fernandez had another good opportunity and this time it was on target, but forced a reaction save at the near post. Sergio Rico also came to the rescue as Mohamed Salah got a toe to the low Nenad Tomovic cross.
Salah had penalty appeals for a blatant Benoit Tremoulinas shirt-tug, but it’s also arguable he was never going to reach the ball anyway. Vidal was again dangerous, bursting past Savic, but Vitolo turned wide under pressure.
On the stroke of half-time, Sevilla wanted a penalty for a challenge on Grzegorz Krychowiak after he had hit a fresh-air volley.
Straight after the restart Mati Fernandez curled a free kick just past the near post, but Sevilla doubled their advantage. Milan Badelj gave away the ball in midfield to spark a counter, which saw Aleix Vidal in acres of space down the right to surprise Neto at the near post. The goalkeeper assumed he’d go for the far stick and was completely wrong-footed.
The confidence visibly drained out of Fiorentina, particularly Badelj, who was also in a nasty clash of heads with Mbia and made way for David Pizarro. Mbia tried to continue, but eventually had to be replaced too.
Fiorentina’s defensive errors proved costly, as Aleix Vidal’s wayward shot turned into an assist for Kevin Gameiro to redirect from close range. It was his first touch.
Another Mati Fernandez free kick was beaten off the line by Sergio Rico and Marcos Alonso nodded a Josip Ilicic set play over the bar, but they also risked conceding a fourth.
Sevilla 3-0 Fiorentina
Scorers: Aleix Vidal 17, 52 (S), Gameiro 75 (S)
Sevilla: Rico; A Vidal, Carriço, Kolo, Tremoulinas; Krychowiak, Mbia (Iborra 73); Reyes (Coke 58), Banega, Vitolo; Bacca (Gameiro 74)
Fiorentina: Neto; Tomovic (Richards 46), Savic, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Alonso; Mati Fernandez, Badelj (Pizarro 68), Borja Valero; Joaquin, Gomez (Ilicic 80), Salah
Ref: Brych (GER)