UECL: Fiorentina Advance to Quarterfinals with 3-1 Win Over Panathinaikos

Fiorentina reach the UEFA Conference League quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over Panathinaikos, overturning a first-leg deficit to advance 5-4 on aggregate.

Fiorentina staged a successful comeback, overturning a first-leg deficit to secure a quarterfinal spot in the UEFA Conference League. They defeated Panathinaikos 3-1 at Stadio Artemio Franchi, ultimately winning 5-4 on aggregate. This victory extended Fiorentina's unbeaten home run in European competitions to 12 matches.

Fiorentina dominated the first half, unleashing 14 shots and forcing Panathinaikos goalkeeper Bartłomiej Drągowski into six saves. Albert Gudmundsson had the game's first scoring opportunity, but his shot deflected narrowly wide of Drągowski's near post. From the ensuing corner, Fiorentina took the lead in spectacular fashion, scoring inside the first 12 minutes.

Rolando Mandragora seized the opportunity to unleash a powerful shot from distance, taking only one touch before releasing the ball. The shot swerved into the bottom corner, catching the goalkeeper off guard and giving Fiorentina a crucial goal. Mandragora attempted to replicate this feat a few minutes later, but this time, Dragowski was prepared, tipping the ball over the bar.

Fiorentina complete the comeback! 🤯#UECL pic.twitter.com/ppjTIYccf1

— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) March 13, 2025

Fiorentina continued to apply relentless pressure, and their efforts were rewarded with a second goal. Jonas Gudmundsson embarked on a driving run before unleashing a shot that took a decisive deflection, beating Drągowski at his near post and propelling Fiorentina into the aggregate lead.

As the first half drew to a close, Fiorentina should have further extended their advantage. Drągowski produced a series of impressive saves, palming away well-struck free kicks from both Mandragora and Danilo Cataldi. Additionally, the goalkeeper denied Moise Kean on two separate occasions, ensuring that Fiorentina's lead remained slender heading into the break.

Fiorentina's Moise Kean squandered another gilt-edged opportunity, heading wide from a promising position following a corner. Panathinaikos' most notable chance to respond fell to Tete, who curled a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area.

After being thoroughly outplayed in the first half, Panathinaikos improved significantly after the restart. They could have restored aggregate parity when substitute Fotis Ioannidis was picked out by a long ball from Dragowski, but his angled shot was deflected just wide. Ioannidis continued to threaten, breaking forward and selflessly feeding Tetê, whose goal-bound strike was well blocked by Pietro Comuzzo. Tetê was denied again at the back post by a last-ditch Robin Gosens block.

Despite Panathinaikos' improved performance, Fiorentina remained a threat on the counterattack. Moise Kean sealed the hosts' progression, cutting inside before neatly tucking the ball past Dragowski. Tensions rose in the final 10 minutes when Fiorentina conceded a needless penalty, with Azzedine Ounahi being brought down in the box. Fotis Ioannidis calmly converted the penalty, sending David de Gea the wrong way.

Fiorentina's nerves were eased once more in stoppage time when Filip Mladenovic received a second yellow card and was duly sent off for attempting to stop a counterattack. This defeat extended Panathinaikos' winless run away from home to eight games in all competitions, as Rui Vitoria's side bowed out of the competition.