After winning nine games in a row in the UEFA Europa Conference League, Fiorentina has now lost two consecutive games in the competition.
On Thursday night, La Viola hosted Swiss regulars Basel in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semifinal. Despite a first half goal from former Basel striker Arthur Cabral, Fiorentina conceded two late goals to go into the decider next Thursday behind.
The first goal came in the 25th minute off of a corner. Cristiano Biraghi’s outswinger found the head of Lucas Martinez Quarta. The Argentinian headed it down to Cabral, who nodded it home.
Basel managed to keep themselves in the game after that. Although they had a goal ruled out for offside early in the game, they kept their discipline and continued to work hard. They would find their equalizer via Andy Diouf. The Frenchman went on a marauding run, mostly unchallenged, allowing him to shoot from outside the box. His effort beat Pietro Terracciano to level things up.
Vincenzo Italiano made a flurry of changes after the equalizer as Fiorentina searched for the goal to put them back in front. Instead, they would receive a further blow in stoppage time. Taulant Xhaka’s free kick was not properly dealt with, as the ball fell to substitute Darian Males. The latter beat his man and pulled it back for Zeki Amdouni, who slotted it home.
The match ended 2-1 in Basel’s favor, who will now go into the second leg with the lead. Fiorentina welcome Udinese in their Serie A match on Sunday, while Basel go to Sankt Gallen in the Swiss Super League, also on Sunday.