English
Fiorentina Primavera were crowned champions in Florence on Thursday evening thanks to a 2-1 victory against Parma in the beautiful setting of the Rocco B. Commisso Viola Park. Goals from Riccardo Braschi and Eddy Kouadio in the final 15 minutes decided the match, while Daniel Mikołajewski’s late strike was not enough for Parma to stage a late comeback.
Coach Daniele Galloppa had warned on the eve of the game that it would not be an easy match, but his game plan was clear, as he employed a successful tactical approach to clinch the title in front of the home faithful.
The victory came at the end of a match in which Niccolo Trapani and his team-mates managed to showcase their technical and character superiority, qualities shown throughout the championship. Above all, the group’s extraordinary togetherness stood out, a key factor that the coach himself had highlighted in his pre-match interview. The youngsters went on to secure their second trophy of the season, following the Viareggio Cup lifted by coach Marco Capparella’s under-18s.
The start of the match was cagey, despite a sustained pace, with neither side able to break through the defensive lines. Fiorentina found the key to unlocking the Parma defense through the feet of Giorgio Puzzoli. First, the playmaker tried from the edge of the area in the 29th minute, but his shot trickled wide. A minute later, Puzzoli turned provider, finding Braschi in the center of the box from a free kick, but the striker’s attempt missed the target.
After Fiorentina’s two chances, Parma raised their level of intensity. Pietro Leonardelli, who until the 35th minute had mainly been called upon to sweep up long balls outside his area, was forced into a spectacular save, brilliantly tipping a Daniel Mikołajewski free kick away from the top corner.
In first-half stoppage time, Fiorentina produced their best chance of the opening period. Luis Balbo won possession near the penalty area and immediately whipped a dangerous cross into the box, where Gabriele Bertolini’s effort was kept out by an outstanding save from Gianluca Astaldi.
The second half followed much the same pattern as the first. Although the pace remained high, both sides largely canceled each other out and struggled to find openings in the opposition defense.
The breakthrough finally came in the 73rd minute when Brando Mazzeo was brought down inside the penalty area by a Parma defender. Braschi stepped up from the spot and calmly converted to put Fiorentina ahead.
Riding the wave of momentum, Fiorentina doubled their advantage on 83 minutes when the imperious Kouadio rose highest from a corner kick to power his header beyond Astaldi.
Parma pulled one back six minutes later through Mikołajewski, but it was not enough to snatch the Scudetto away from Galloppa’s side, who lifted the Primavera title for the first time in 43 years.
Match report
Fiorentina 2-1 Parma (HT: 0-0)
Scorers: Braschi 74, Kouadio 83, Mikołajewski 89.
Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): Leonardelli; Trapani (C), Kospo, Kouadio, Balbo (Turnone 89), Deli, Montenegro, Bertolini (Kone 64), Puzzoli (Conti 80), Mazzeo (Atzeni 89), Braschi.
Subs not used: Fei, Ademi, Bonanno, Jallow, Angiolini, Evangelista, Sturli.
Coach: Daniele Galloppa.
Parma (4-3-2-1): Astaldi; Mena, Conde, Drobnic, D’Intino (Semedo 86), Tigani (Mengoni 86), Diop (Vranici 78), Konate, Plicco (Castaldo 69), Cardinali, Mikołajewski
Subs not used: Mazzocchi, Pajsar, Balduzzi, Opoku, Chimezie, Avramescu, Sartori.
Coach: Nicola Corrent.
Bookings: Castaldo, Balbo.
