SAN GALLO (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – An underwhelming first half and a dominant second half, changing mentality and finding a sumptuous Sottil. Thus Fiorentina defeated St. Gallen, coming back from a disadvantage and climbing to six points in the Conference League with today’s 4-2 win. The first half was anything but positive for the Viola, who suffered from the intensity of their rivals and the very hot weather at Kybunpark: the challenge was interrupted twice for the throwing of smoke bombs, leading to a maxi-recovery that came close to eight minutes. The Swiss push right away with Gortler, but Kouamè and Sottil respond. On 23′ here was the defensive error that cost the violets dearly: Martinez Quarta lost the ball, Quintillà set Mambimbi in motion and the latter crossed behind Terracciano. St. Gallen also comes close to an encore, then entrenches itself in defense. By Martinez Quarta and Sottil the best chances for Fiorentina, which pushes on and goes to rest at a disadvantage.
The resumption opens with a change: out goes the slumped Moreno and in comes Comuzzo to make up for Mambimbi’s accelerations.
The violets came very close to equalizing on two occasions, then found it at 50′: corner and header by Martinez Quarta for the 1-1. Four minutes pass and the Viola lead arrives, with Ikonè’s scorching counterattack and snap on the offside line that leads him to mock Ati-Zigi. St. Gallen immediately came close to an equalizer and found it at 62′: Gortler surprised the violets on a set-piece kicking scheme, it was 2-2. Palladino reacts with the changes, inserting Cataldi and Beltran, and his team immediately reacts by finding the new lead: Kouamè goes wide for Ikonè, who signs the double and the 3-2 at 69′. The Var reviews and confirms everything, but the atmosphere ignites again: new stop for the throwing of smoke bombs by the purple fans, the referee threatens to suspend. Biraghi mediates with the cheers and recovers, with Beltran close to poker. A goal came in 93′, with Kouamè’s post and a tap-in by sub Gosens. Fiorentina was in absolute control and even came close to a fifth goal with Ikonè, in the ten-minute maxi-recovery.
The violets win, rising to six points in conference and giving continuity to the maxi-success over Lecce. St. Gallen comes out with its head held high, but with a defense-collapse: ten goals conceded, as it had lost 6-2 to Cercle Bruges on its debut.
– photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
St. Gallen-Fiorentina 2-4, Ikonè doubles in Switzerland
