Palermo 2 - 3 Fiorentina : Fiorentina clinch European place - 7M sport

Palermo 2 - 3 Fiorentina : Fiorentina clinch European place



Posted Sunday, May 24, 2015 by PA

Fiorentina qualified for the Europa League by holding Palermo at bay to win 3-2 at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

Early goals from Josip Ilicic and Alberto Gilardino sandwiched a Mato Jajalo strike for Palermo, meaning the visitors controlled fifth place heading into half-time on Sicily.

They had to negotiate a fightback in the second half as Luca Rigoni drew the Rosanero level, before Marcos Alonso rubber-stamped all three points and a guaranteed top-six finish in Serie A.

Jasmin Kurtic was sent off for picking up his second yellow card in stoppage time, but mid-table Palermo had no time to respond.

Fiorentina were the brighter side for much of the first half and twice went close to opening the scoring inside 20 minutes with both Ilicic and Gilardino unlucky not to tuck the ball away from good positions.

The former would manage to net in the 23rd minute, however.

After picking up the ball 30 metres from goal and pinging it left-footed over Stefano Sorrentino's shoulders, Ilicic applauded his former club's fans rather than celebrating passionately.

The Croatian who has successfully replaced him in the Palermo line-up levelled the scores three minutes later.

Jajalo gathered the ball on the edge of the box and bamboozled Neto with a powerful swerving finish.

Parity would not last long as Gilardino delivered a trademark poacher's goal to give Fiorentina the lead heading into half-time.

Mati Fernandez had done all the hard work and, when his shot veered off target, the well-travelled Gilardino was there to stick out a boot and get the ball over the line.

There was less blood and thunder when play resumed following the interval, with Fiorentina waiting until the 62nd minute to threaten a third goal through Joaquin, whose devious cross-cum-shot was only just cleared.

Palermo pushed back and almost scored when substitute Andrea Belotti sent Neto sprawling with a header, and they would manage to equalise a few minutes later.

A defensive mix-up in the visitors' box allowed Rigoni to nick in and convert Paulo Dybala's corner.

Even though a single point would be enough to guarantee La Viola their shot at the Europa League, they pushed hard for a winner and Joaquin, after dribbling into the box, made the quick-thinking Sorrentino save with feet.

Unbowed, the Tuscans raided forward again and got their reward in the 78th minute.

The two previous Fiorentina goalscorers both played a part in setting up Alonso, who rifled home Gilardino's lay-off after the former Italy striker had taken receipt of Ilicic's accurate free-kick.

Kurtic's late dismissal for earning a second yellow for his foul on Robin Quaison caused a few ripples of nerves among the travelling fans, but Fiorentina had done enough.



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