Vincenzo Italiano is pleased Fiorentina made it into the Conference League, but warns Luka Jovic and Jonathan Ikone they ‘cannot miss chances like that’ in the dramatic play-off with FC Twente.
The Viola had won the first leg 2-1 and wasted several golden scoring opportunities at the Stadio Artemio Franchi too.
They out-did themselves in Enschede, as Ikone failed to beat the goalkeeper one-on-one, then deep into stoppages Jovic was sent clear by Nico Gonzalez only to try to pass it back to his teammates, effectively gifting the ball back to Twente.
With practically the last kick of the game, goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano made an astonishing save on the Joshua Brenet free header.
“It’s mission accomplished, even if with some suffering and even madness, because we cannot miss chances like that,” a visibly-relieved Italiano told Sky Sport Italia after the 0-0 draw.
“We were already down to 10 men and if Terracciano hadn’t made that save, we were going into extra time a man down.
“We have got to convert more of what we create, that is where we need to improve.”
It was a fiery atmosphere in Holland, sometimes too fiery, as play was halted several times because Twente fans were throwing plastic bottles and glasses at the players, occasionally even fireworks landed on the turf.
“Coming here with a one-goal advantage and trying to sit on it would’ve been madness. Our qualification is deserved, we played in a cauldron tonight and keeping a clean sheet here was important.”
Despite that save, Terracciano is likely to be dropped again for Serie A matches in favour of Pierluigi Gollini.
Congrats la viola, hope they can reach final