NICOSIA (CYPRUS) (ITALPRESS) – Unexpected knock for Fiorentina, which interrupted its positive streak by losing 2-1 in Cyprus against Apoel Nicosia. Palladino makes a turnover and also makes some surprising moves, with Adli a trequartista and Parisi a high outside player in the 4-2-3-1. In the attack is Kouamè, who is the first one able to trouble former Inter player Vid Belec. A weak conclusion and a high shot startled Apoel, but did not bend it. Fiorentina controlled the game and did not break through, risking big on the half-hour mark: El Arabi alerted Terracciano, who responded presently. The chance created awakens the Cypriots, who, after much defending, do mischief at 37′: El Arabi sets the table for Donis, who scores with a soft right. Richardson and Mandragora try to equalize, but everything goes wrong for Fiorentina at 46′. Credit again to El Arabi, who backs up for Abagna, who is good at believing after two rebounds. So it goes to rest on 2-0 for Apoel and Palladino dares, inserting Beltran for Adli. The offensive moves of the coach, who also deploys Bove and Gosens, relatively pay off. For half an hour, the Cypriots hold out and do not suffer against Fiorentina, before conceding 2-1 in 74′: Kouamè and Ikonè exchange, the home defense goes haywire, and there’s the former Lille man’s hopeful goal. Two minutes pass and there is a new thrill for the Viola, as Chebake and El Arabi waste a resounding counterattack that would have been worth the third goal.Jimenez covers himself in the final, taking off former Juventus man Donis, and manages to contain his rivals. Fiorentina’s comeback attempt ended there and, indeed, it was Chebake who came close to scoring again. Nothing to do for the Viola and for coach Palladino, who suffers his first conference defeat and interrupts his positive streak. The Tuscans had not lost since Sept. 15 and were on the back of seven consecutive, eight in the last nine matches between Serie A and the Conference League, but they stop at six points. With this result, midway through the League Phase, the Viola would be eighth (and in the round of 16). Ascending to 4 points is Apoel, which enters the playoff zone in a unique ranking that sees six teams with full points: Chelsea, Legia Warsaw, Jagiellonia Bialystok, Rapid Vienna, Vitoria Guimaraes and Heidenheim.- Photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
