In a match that defied logic and tested the heart rates of every spectator at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, Fiorentina narrowly secured their progression in a European encounter that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Paolo Vanoli’s side entered the second leg with what appeared to be a comfortable cushion, but a night of tactical experiments, defensive collapses, and a late-game resurgence saw the Italian side "trudge and gasp" across the finish line.
A Clash Of Philosophies Ends In Disaster
The tactical setup from the opening whistle suggested two managers on completely opposite wavelengths. Paolo Vanoli opted for an experimental starting XI, most notably deploying Dodô in an advanced right-midfield role. In contrast, Jagiellonia manager Adrian Siemieniec signaled his intent by fielding his strongest possible team, welcoming back the influential Taras Romanczuk and the physical Afimico Pululu from suspension.
The visitors' intent to overturn a three-goal aggregate deficit was clear, while Fiorentina’s makeshift backline looked vulnerable from the outset. The warning signs flashed early when Pietro Comuzzo misjudged a lofted ball, allowing Pululu a clear sight of goal. While Luca Lezzerini managed to smother that initial effort, the tone was set.
Fiorentina attempted to impose themselves through direct play, with Roberto Piccoli seeing a header saved and Cher Ndour attempting a spectacular bicycle kick that cleared the crossbar. However, Jagiellonia’s defense remained resolute, waiting for the inevitable crack in the Viola's armor. It arrived when Pululu bullied Comuzzo in a physical duel before squaring for Bartosz Mazurek. Lezzerini parried the initial strike, but the rebound fell perfectly for the midfielder to slot into an unguarded net.
The Comuzzo Collapse
As the first half progressed, the psychological shift was palpable. The Polish side grew in confidence, exploiting the specific mismatch between the towering Pululu and the struggling Comuzzo. Fiorentina appeared unable to kill the clock or regain composure, and the pressure told once again just before the interval.
Pululu, the architect of almost every Jagiellonia attack, again bypassed Comuzzo to find Romanczuk. While Comuzzo managed a desperate clearance, the ball fell directly to Bartosz Mazurek. His subsequent shot took a cruel deflection off the unfortunate Comuzzo, looping over the stranded Lezzerini to make it 0-2 on the night. In the space of 45 minutes, Fiorentina had undone two-thirds of the hard work from the first leg.
A Hat-Trick Of Errors
The second half began with a forced change as David de Gea replaced the injured Lezzerini. Vanoli also introduced Jack Harrison, hoping to inject professional discipline into a side playing like an amateur outfit. The instructions were simple: hold firm for ten minutes.
The players, however, failed to listen. Despite a suspicion of a foul on Piccoli in the buildup, the Fiorentina defense stood static as the visitors launched a lightning-fast counter-attack down the left wing. A low, fizzing cross found its way through the box where Bartosz Mazurek, completely unmarked at the back post, tapped home to complete a stunning hat-trick. The aggregate score was level, and the Franchi was in a state of shock.
Extra Time And The Fagioli Lifeline
Vanoli threw on his heavy hitters—Nicolò Fagioli, Manor Solomon, and Moise Kean—to stem the tide. While Jagiellonia’s physical energy began to wane in the final twenty minutes of regulation time, Fiorentina remained wasteful, with Kean missing a golden opportunity to settle the tie before the 90-minute mark.
As the match moved into extra time, fatigue became the primary opponent for the visitors. The breakthrough for the Viola finally arrived courtesy of a gift. A mistimed chip from Abramowicz landed directly at the feet of Nicolò Fagioli, who showed the composure his teammates lacked by lofting a delicate finish over the goalkeeper.
The breathing room was expanded further during a chaotic corner. Fagioli’s delivery caused a scramble in the six-yard box, ending with a shot from Moise Kean that deflected off Taras Romanczuk for a crucial own goal.
A Dramatic Conclusion
True to their reputation for instability, Fiorentina refused to end the night quietly. In the dying moments, David de Gea suffered a rare lapse in concentration, allowing a relatively tame shot from Jesús Imaz to squirm through his grasp and into the net.
The final minutes were a frantic blur of cards and desperation. Bernardo Vital was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in quick succession as Jagiellonia launched a final, exhausted assault. When the whistle eventually blew, there were no celebrations—only a sense of survival. Fiorentina moves on, but the scars of this performance will surely prompt a serious inquest into the team's defensive fragilities.