Fiorentina suffered a 2-1 defeat to Championship side Preston North End in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon, despite a first half equaliser from Rolando Mandragora.

La Viola are currently in England for a triple-headed run of fixtures against Bolton Wanderers, Preston and Hull City. Raffaele Palladino’s side drew 1-1 in their first friendly in the UK on Friday, and are due to face Hull at the MKM Stadium on Tuesday night.

Full-time: Preston 2-1 Fiorentina

Christian Kouame came up with Fiorentina’s first chance of the game within the opening minute against Preston on Saturday. He and Riccardo Sottil tested the Preston keeper again shortly afterwards.

Preston snatched the lead after 23 minutes as Liam Lindsay nodded home a Robbie Brady corner.

Just eight minutes later, the visitors had themselves back level after a finely struck free-kick by Mandragora into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Fabiano Parisi missed the chance to put Fiorentina ahead moments afterwards, skying from just a few yards out after receiving the ball from a low cross into the danger zone.

Will Keane was on hand to put Preston back in front just before the half-time interval, tucking away from within the area after Fiorentina failed to clear Brady’s cross.

Fiorentina are yet to record a victory from their mini-tour of the north of England, but have an opportunity to put that right when they face Hull in their final test on English soil on Tuesday.

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